Objective To study the efficacy of low dose of combined angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor blockade(ARB)valsartan with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)ramipril on the expression of the gene of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor(AT1R)and type 2 receptor(AT2R)in cardiovascular vessels and brain in SHR.Methods SHRs 7-8 weeks old were received valsartan 30 mg/(kg?d),or ramipril 1 mg/(kg?d),or valsartan 15 mg/(kg?d)combined with ramipril 0.5 mg/(kg?d)by gavage for three months.SBP,LV/BW ratio,plasma angiotensin Ⅱ,plasma and myocardial NO levels were determined.The severity of myocardial interstitial fibrosis was assessed by image analysis.ACE mRNA,AT1R mRNA and AT2R mRNA expression were detected in the LV myocardium,aorta and brain by the RT-PCR.Results Combined low dose of valsartan and ramipril was shown to reduce more significantly the expression of AT1R mRNA and ACE mRNA in myocardium,aorta and brain than valsartan or ramipril monotherapy(AT1R mRNA:P