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Biomedical subjects

K Nebendahl

Publications and source records attributed to K Nebendahl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of a platelet-activating factor antagonist on pancreas perfusion after 24 h of ischemia.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a strong mediator of inflammation that is present in many mammalian tissues and cell types. In the pancreas, PAF can be synthesized in acinar cells after stimulation with secretagogues. The present study uses a perfused porcine pancreas model to investigate the role of PAF in pancreatic ischemia and the effect of the PAF antagonist bepafant on pancreas preservation. Pancreata were preserved with or without bepafant, stored for 24 h at 4 degrees C, and then reperfused at 37 degrees C in a perfusion chamber. Reperfusions were significantly improved by the addition of bepafant. This was indicated by a significantly increased arteriovenous volume flow (16.54 +/- 1.88 ml/min versus controls 8.54 +/- 1.31 ml/min; p = 0.0068; bepafant, n = 7; controls, n = 12) and a reduced vascular resistance (p = 0.0068; bepafant, 1.95 +/- 0.22 mm Hg * min/ml versus controls 4.08 +/- 0.56 mm Hg * min/ml). Radioimmunological quantification of PAF in pancreatic tissue revealed that PAF levels remain unchanged during storage in a cold protective solution at 4 degrees C but increase significantly during surgical pancreas preparation under general anesthesia (from 142.1 +/- 21.2 to 368.8 +/- 52.5 pg/g; n = 15; p = 0.0007). The present study shows that bepafant improves pancreas preservation after cold ischemia. The beneficial effect might be explained by antagonizing inflammatory and vasoconstrictory responses to PAF synthesized during surgical pancreas preparation.

Animals↗

Low atherosclerotic response of a strain of rabbits to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

In this report we describe the development of two rabbit strains, HAR (high atherosclerotic response) and LAR (low atherosclerotic response), and their propensities to develop atherosclerosis in the aorta despite similar levels of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Sixty-two randomly selected male New Zealand White rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (0.5%) for 84 days and developed 57 +/- 25% sudanophilic lesions of the aortic surface; 12 rabbits showed a low atherosclerotic response (0% to 30% surface involvement), and 22 rabbits showed a high atherosclerotic response (70% to 100% surface involvement). The offspring of rabbits with low atherosclerotic response were used for breeding the strain of rabbits resistant to atherosclerosis (LAR strain), while the offspring of rabbits with high atherosclerotic response were used for breeding the HAR strain. Controlled breeding was started after the 4th generation and performed for the subsequent 6 generations. Thus, in the LAR rabbits the lipid-stainable surface area of aorta amounted to only 27 +/- 17% after 112 days of cholesterol feeding. On the other hand, in HAR rabbits, aortic surface involvement reached 85 +/- 25% after 112 days on the cholesterol-enriched diet. The measurements of surface area involvement were corroborated also by a significantly lower, chemically determined cholesterol content of the aorta in LAR rabbits. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were determined at baseline, after 21 and 42 days of cholesterol feeding, and at the time the animals were killed. The plasma cholesterol concentrations of cholesterol-fed HAR and LAR rabbits showed a 13-fold increase after 21 days and a 21-fold increase after 84 days on the cholesterol diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of epinephrine treatment during late ischemia and early reperfusion on regional myocardial function and infarct size in partially infarcted reperfused porcine hearts.

This study investigated whether epinephrine treatment during late ischemia and early reperfusion improves systolic shortening after 45 minutes of reperfusion at the cost of increased infarct size. A model consisting of both stunned and dead myocytes was used. The left anterior descending coronary arteries of 10 control and 10 treated pigs were occluded distally for 40 minutes and then reperfused for 3 days. Regional systolic shortening was determined by sonomicrometry, and infarct size was assessed as the percentage of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic (dye technique) myocardium. Intravenous administration of epinephrine was started 10 minutes before the onset of reperfusion (5 micrograms/min) and continued until 45 minutes of reperfusion (mean 18 micrograms/min). Immediately before and during 45 minutes of reperfusion, left ventricular peak pressure, dp/dtmax, and heart rate were significantly increased in the treated animals. After 45 minutes of reperfusion, epinephrine treatment improved systolic shortening of the reperfused myocardium (treated group 9% +/- 8%; control group -1% +/- 6%; p < 0.01). Transient beta-adrenergic stimulation of the reperfused myocardium did not increase infarct size (treated group 57.2% +/- 19%; control group 55.4% +/- 17%). In conclusion, epinephrine treatment during late ischemia and early reperfusion improved systolic shortening after 45 minutes of reperfusion without affecting infarct size.

Animals↗

Failure of chronic, high-dose, oral vitamin E treatment to protect the ischemic, reperfused porcine heart.

Lipid peroxidation, presumably the result of free radical-mediated injury, has been shown to occur during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Since vitamin E is a very effective, naturally occurring, chain-breaking antioxidant, it was investigated whether a vitamin E-supplemented diet increased myocardial tolerance towards ischemia and reperfusion in pigs. In addition to a standard diet which contained 30 mg vitamin E/kg (approximately daily vitamin E intake 30 mg), ten pigs were fed with 10 g vitamin E (all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate, Merck AG, Darmstadt, Germany) daily for at least 4 weeks. Ten control pigs remained on the standard diet. In an open chest preparation, the left anterior descending coronary artery was distally ligated for 45 min followed by 3 d of reperfusion. Infarct size was determined as the ratio of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic myocardium (dye technique). Regional systolic shortening was evaluated by sonomicrometry. Vitamin E concentrations in plasma and myocardium were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Global hemodynamic characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Oral pretreatment with vitamin E raised the plasma concentration of this vitamin from 1.1 +/- 0.3 to 5.0 +/- 1.0 mg/l and the myocardial content from 4.2 +/- 0.7 to 18.6 +/- 2.7 ng/mg fresh weight. Vitamin E treatment did not reduce infarct size, which amounted to 71.3 +/- 5% in the control group and to 71.7 +/- 8.2% in the treated animals. Furthermore, recovery of regional systolic shortening of the reperfused segment did not significantly differ in the two groups after 3 d of reperfusion; it measured 2 +/- 4% in the controls and 6 +/- 6% (p = 0.16) in the treated animals. Therefore, chronic, oral treatment with vitamin E which raised myocardial and plasma concentrations of this vitamin 4- to 5-fold did not increase myocardial tolerance towards ischemia and reperfusion in this animal model.

Administration, Oral↗

Hydroxyethyl starch does not improve pancreas preservation with HTK.

The effect of hydroxyethyl starch on pancreas preservation with cardioplegic histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK) was investigated. The study was performed using an in vitro reperfusion system of the porcine pancreas. During organ preservation pancreatic weight, arterial pressure, volume flow, and washout of amylase and lactate were quantified. Addition of hydroxyethyl starch did not affect arteriovenous volume flow or washout of amylase and lactate during protective perfusion after pancreas preparation. However, hydroxyethyl starch in HTK prevented an increase in pancreatic weight at the end of the protective perfusion (102.2 +/- 4.55% vs 127.8 +/- 4.62% in controls; p < 0.005) and after 24 h cold ischemia (72.9 +/- 3.91% vs. 83.5 +/- 3.49% in controls; p < 0.05). Hydroxyethyl starch did not affect postischemic organ quality assessed during reperfusion in a perfusion chamber by pancreatic vascular resistance, amylase and lactate release, insulin secretion, and oxygen consumption. We conclude that hydroxyethyl starch does not bring about any further improvement in immediate postischemic organ quality assessed in an in vitro reperfusion system.

Amylases↗

Platelet and fibrin deposition on coronary stents in minipigs: effect of hirudin versus heparin.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the direct thrombin hirudin is more efficient than heparin in reducing thrombus formation after coronary stenting. BACKGROUND: Despite aggressive anticoagulation, subacute thrombosis of coronary stents is a major complication associated with these new devices. METHODS: In 19 minipigs indium-111-labeled thrombocytes and iodine-125-labeled fibrinogen were injected 14 to 19 h before coronary implantation of tantalum balloon-expandable stents. In group 1 (n = 6, seven stents), a bolus of heparin (100 U/kg body weight) was given before stenting. Group 2 (n = 6, 11 stents) received both dextran (500 ml) and heparin (a 100-U/kg bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 50 U/kg per h). In group 3 (n = 7, 13 stents), hirudin (recombinant desulphatohirudin HV 1 [CGP 39393] [1 mg/kg]) was given before stent implantation, followed by an infusion of 1 mg/kg per h. All animals were pretreated with aspirin (250 mg intravenously). RESULTS: Activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged to > 1.8 times control values in groups 2 and 3. Histologic examination after perfusion fixation 12 h after stenting showed a variable extent of thrombus on all stents. Medial tear was observed in three stents in group 1, six stents in group 2 and six stents in group 3. The number of platelets on all stents averaged 116.2 (range 22 to 522) x 10(6) in group 1, 64.3 (range 11 to 169) x 10(6) in group 2 and 19.7 (range 9 to 38) x 10(6) in group 3 (p < 0.05 vs. group 1 and vs. group 2). The increase in platelet deposition, associated with medial tear in all groups, was lowest in the hirudin group. Similarly, fibrin deposition was lowest on stents in hirudin-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant hirudin significantly reduces platelet and fibrin deposition on coronary stents compared with the reduction achieved with combined heparin, dextran and aspirin.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

The effect of different solutions for organ preservation on immediate postischemic pancreatic function in vitro.

The present study compares the effect of organ preservation with Euro-Collins solution, cardioplegic histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution, and University of Wisconsin solution on immediate pancreatic function after cold storage at 4 degrees C for 24 hr. Postischemic organ quality of a porcine pancreas preparation was tested by quantification of physiological and biomedical parameters in a one-line reperfusion system. During reperfusion with a constant arterial pressure the arteriovenous flow rate was significantly higher for HTK (5.7 +/- 0.91 ml/min, n = 8; P < 0.05 vs. EC) and UW (7.4 +/- 0.81 ml/min, n = 8; P < 0.05 vs. EC) than for EC (3.0 +/- 0.26 ml/min, n = 6). The lowest lactate content in the reperfusate was found after HTK protection (HTK, 64.0 +/- 7.2 mumol/50 ml, n = 8; versus EC, 114.2 +/- 1.7 mumol/50 ml, n = 6, P < 0.001; versus UW, 148.0 +/- 28.6 mumol/50 ml, n = 8, P < 0.05). Amylase in the venous effluent was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for HTK or UW protection than for EC (HTK, 189 +/- 72.6 U/ml; UW, 188 +/- 39.4 U/ml; EC, 416 +/- 71.7 U/ml). Oxygen consumption during reperfusion was significantly higher for HTK (2.15 +/- 0.22 microliters/g/min, P < 0.001) and UW (1.80 +/- 0.52 microliters/g/min, P < 0.05) than for EC (0.47 +/- 0.13 microliters/g/min). We conclude that immediate postischemic organ quality and pancreatic function after protection with HTK is not inferior to preservation with UW.

Adenosine↗

Interstitial myocardial neutrophil accumulation between 3 and 72 h of reperfusion does not significantly affect infarct size in porcine hearts.

The inflammatory response--mediated by activated neutrophils--is assumed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury. This study investigated whether extravascular myocardial neutrophil accumulation between 3 and 72 h of reperfusion affects infarct size in porcine hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated distally in 24 pigs for 45 min and reperfused for 3 h (n = 8), 24 h (n = 8), or 72 h (n = 8). Infarct size and extravascular myocardial accumulation of neutrophils was evaluated at the end of the experiments. Global hemodynamic characteristics were comparable for the three groups both before and during ischemia. Neutrophil count/mm2 reperfused myocardium increased substantially from 4 +/- 2 (3 h of reperfusion) to 129 +/- 70 (24 h of reperfusion, p < 0.001). After 3 d of reperfusion, the neutrophil count had decreased to 10 +/- 7. The invasion of neutrophils between 3 and 24 h of reperfusion did not significantly affect the extent of myocardial necrosis. Infarct sizes after 3 h (62.6 +/- 20%), 24 h (71.8 +/- 13%), and 72 h of reperfusion (67.6 +/- 18%) did not differ significantly. This finding does not suggest that a significant amount of myocytes are destroyed by extravasated neutrophils between 3 and 72 h of reperfusion.

Animals↗

Low-molecular-weight heparin reduces neointimal proliferation after coronary stent implantation in hypercholesterolemic minipigs.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary stents have been suggested as a method of reducing the restenosis rate after balloon angioplasty. Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is a major contributing factor to the restenosis process. Heparin and some of its derivatives have been shown to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation. We investigated the effect of low-molecular-weight heparin on the proliferative response after implantation of a balloon-expandable tantalum stent in previously deendothelialized coronary artery segments of hypercholesterolemic minipigs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Minipigs were fed a diet containing 2% cholesterol, starting 1 month before balloon denudation of the endothelium in a coronary artery. One month later, a stent was implanted at this site. Animals were killed after 4 weeks (group 1, n = 6) or 3 months (group 2, n = 6). Animals in group 3 (n = 6), also followed for 4 weeks after stenting, received subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin at a dose of 200-300 units/kg anti-factor Xa activity per day in addition to the chronic acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/day) also administered to groups 1 and 2. Eighteen of 22 animals survived to the end of the study. Angiography revealed patent stents in all surviving animals. In group 1, histological analysis showed extensive neointimal proliferation around stent struts. Maximal neointimal thickness seen in group 1 averaged 0.93 +/- 0.11 mm, was lower after 3 months (0.8 +/- 0.14 mm) in group 2, but was significantly reduced (0.44 +/- 0.18 mm, p less than 0.01) in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: These data show a significant reduction of the neointimal proliferative response to coronary stent implantation by low-molecular-weight heparin.

Animals↗

Myocardial distribution of indium-111-antimyosin Fab and technetium-99m-sestamibi in experimental nontransmural infarction.

Early revascularization in acute myocardial infarction results in normal, necrotic and partially damaged and partially salvaged ("intermediate") myocardium. By combining a perfusion tracer and a marker for myocardial injury, we attempted to differentiate between these three types of cardiac tissue. The LAD was occluded in nine pigs for 45 min and then reperfused. After 48 and 72 hr, 74 MBq 111In-antimyosin Fab and 740 MBq 99mTc-sestamibi, respectively, were injected intravenously. Normally perfused myocardium was labeled with fluorescein and the heart excised. Three to four slices were cut from the apex. Tetrazolium staining revealed the zone of necrosis. Tracer distribution on double-nuclide scintigrams of the slices also reflected the three different myocardial zones. Guided by fluorescence and macrohistochemistry, tissue samples were excised from each zone. In relation to normal myocardium, mean activity in the intermediate zone was 0.82 +/- 0.20 for 99mTc-sestamibi and 2.84 +/- 1.31 for 111In-antimyosin Fab. Activity in necrotic myocardium was 0.30 +/- 0.19 and 3.95 +/- 2.47, respectively. These results show that 111In-antimyosin Fab fragments not only accumulate in necrotic but also in intermediate myocardium. Therefore, an overestimation of infarct size may occur if 111In-antimyosin Fab fragments are used alone without a perfusion tracer.

Animals↗

Failure of iloprost to protect the regionally ischemic, reperfused porcine heart.

The effect of iloprost (Schering AG, Berlin), a stable prostacyclin analogue, was investigated in ischemic, reperfused porcine hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was distally occluded in 18 pigs for 45 min followed by 3-d of reperfusion. Nine pigs were continuously treated with iloprost at a dose of 25 ng/kg per min. Treatment was started as intracoronary infusion into the proximal LAD 10 min before occlusion. The intercoronary infusion was replaced by an intravenous infusion after 45 min of reperfusion, which was continued until the end of the experiment. Infarct size was determined as the ratio of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic myocardium (dye technique). Regional systolic shortening was assessed by sonomicrometry. Myocardial concentrations of adenosine triphosphate were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Generation of free radicals by stimulated polymorphonuclear neutrophils was determined by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Histologic and immunohistologic techniques were applied to characterize the myocardial inflammatory response. Global hemodynamics did not differ between the two groups. Neither infarct size (control group 68 +/- 18%, treated group 74 +/- 14%), recovery of systolic shortening (control group 3 +/- 6%, treated group 6 +/- 6%), nor myocardial adenosine triphosphate concentrations were improved by iloprost treatment. Myocardial inflammatory response remained unaffected by this treatment. The capacity of coronary venous, stimulated polymorphonuclear neutrophils to generate free radicals was slightly suppressed in the treated group before ischemia, at the end of ischemia and during early reperfusion. In this preparation, iloprost did not exhibit any beneficial effect on infarct size, recovery of systolic shortening and myocardial adenosine triphosphate concentrations.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The effects of Trolox, a water-soluble vitamin E analogue, in regionally ischemic, reperfused porcine hearts.

Myocardial protection by the water-soluble vitamin E analogue, Trolox, was investigated in 18 regionally ischemic, reperfused porcine hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery was distally ligated for 45 min and was reperfused for three days. Five grams of Trolox (n = 9) were infused intravenously before coronary occlusion. Treatment was continued with an intravenous dose of 5 grams Trolox/24 hours until the end of the experiment. Infarct size was determined as the ratio of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic myocardium (dye technique). Regional systolic shortening was assessed by sonomicrometry. Generation of free radicals by stimulated neutrophils was evaluated by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Plasma concentrations of Trolox were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Aside from heart rate before ischemia, global hemodynamic values including calculated left ventricular oxygen consumption did not differ significantly between the two groups. Plasma concentrations of Trolox measured 1.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l (before ischemia), 0.96 +/- 0.13 mmol/l (before reperfusion), 0.77 +/- 0.1 mmol/l (40 min of reperfusion), and 0.08 mmol/l (end of the experiment). Generation of free radicals by stimulated neutrophils was reduced by about 30% in the treatment group before ischemia and immediately before reperfusion, but was not reduced at the end of the experiment. Risk regions (control group 19.4 +/- 6 g, treatment group 19.3 +/- 7 g) and infarct sizes (control group 69.3 +/- 8%, treatment group 69.3 +/- 12%) were almost identical. Regional systolic shortening of a control segment and of the risk region were similar in both groups before ischemia, before reperfusion, and after 45 min of reperfusion. After 3 days of reperfusion, regional systolic shortening of the reperfused myocardium of the treated group had recovered to a significantly greater extent (P = 0.027). This parameter amounted to 9 +/- 6% in the treated group and to 3 +/- 3% in the control group. Improved functional recovery was not accompanied by higher tissue concentrations of adenosine triphosphate. It is concluded that the chosen treatment with Trolox does not reduce infarct size but accelerates functional recovery. This finding suggests that the mechanisms resulting in myocardial necrosis during ischemia/reperfusion and in post-ischemic myocardial dysfunction may differ.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Preservation of the porcine pancreas with HTK and Euro-Collins solution: studies in a reperfusion system.

The present study compares the preservation of the porcine pancreas by the standard Euro-Collins solution or the cardioplegic histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK). The explanted pancreas was stored at 4 degrees C for 6 and 24 h respectively, following which organ quality was assessed in a reperfusion chamber measuring physiological and biomedical parameters. After 6 h ischaemia, the amount of lactate was significantly lower when HTK was used for protection. Other parameters like insulin release, amylase release, vascular resistance and oxygen consumption of the pancreas did not indicate a significant difference. Protection with HTK significantly improved pancreas preservation after 24 h ischaemia: lactate content in the reperfusate was lower (HTK: 64.0 +/- 7.2 mumol 50 ml-1 n = 8, v. EC: 114.2 +/- 1.7 mumol 50 ml-1, n = 6), the arteriovenous flow rate was higher (HTK: 5.7 +/- 0.91 ml min-1 v. EC: 3.0 +/- 0.26 ml min-1), and the pancreatic oxygen consumption was increased (HTK: 2.15 +/- 0.22 microliter O2 min-1 g-1 v. 0.47 +/- 0.08 microliter O2 min-1 g-1). We conclude that pancreas preservation can be improved in vitro by protection with HTK solution.

Amylases↗

Comparative study on the enhancement of ischemic tolerance by intracoronary pretreatment with three calcium antagonists in pig hearts.

The effect of intracoronary (IC) pretreatment with different calcium antagonists (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil) on the development of infarcts was investigated in two experimental series including 35 open-chest pigs. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was distally ligated for 75 minutes (series A) or for 45 minutes (series B) and was reperfused for 24 hours. Infarct size was determined as the ratio of infarcted myocardium (tetrazolium stain) to the risk region (dye technique). In series A, 20 pigs were pretreated immediately before occlusion with either IC diltiazem (n = 5, 4 mg/2 min), IC nifedipine (n = 5, 0.4 mg/2 min), IC verapamil (n = 5, 1 mg/2 min), or isotonic sodium chloride solution (n = 5). In series B, IC diltiazem (n = 5, 4 mg/2 min), IC verapamil (n = 5, 1 mg/2 min), or isotonic saline solution (n = 5) were administered 8 minutes prior to ischemia. The IC infusion of all calcium antagonists (series A) depressed left ventricular peak pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and dp/dt max and increased heart rate and coronary venous oxygen saturation. The development of infarcts was significantly delayed by IC diltiazem and IC verapamil. Mean infarct sizes (series A) amounted to 62% in the diltiazem group, 88% in the nifedipine group, 40% in the verapamil group, and 94% in the control group. In series B, where a time period of 8 minutes elapsed between pretreatment and induction of ischemia, mean infarct sizes after 45 minutes of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion amounted to 47% in the diltiazem group, 4% in the verapamil group, and 76% in control experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The perfused porcine pancreas as a model for testing organ protective solutions.

The present study was designed to establish an in vitro perfused porcine pancreas preparation as a model for testing the effect of organ protective solutions on stimulated pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion. The pancreas was prepared and perfused for 10 min with Euro Collins solution, thereafter it was stored in the cold (4 degrees C) for various times. After 3-h and 6-h ischemia pancreatic insulin release in response to glucose was not significantly affected. After 12-h ischemia reduced pancreatic insulin secretin, increased perfusion pressure, and increased amylase and lipase release indicated pancreatic damage. Complete pancreatic dysfunction was seen after 24-h and 48-h ischemia with massive increase in perfusion pressure and low insulin secretion which did not follow a glucose-dependent release pattern, while amylase and lipase concentrations in the perfusion medium increased. Stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion was significantly decreased already after 3-h ischemia and completely lost after 12 h.

Amylases↗

The effect of intracoronary diltiazem on regional myocardial function and development of infarcts in porcine hearts.

The effect of intracoronary (i.c.) pretreatment with diltiazem on regional myocardial function and the development of infarcts was investigated in regionally ischemic, reperfused porcine hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was distally ligated in 16 pigs for 20-90 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Eight pigs were treated with increasing doses of i.c. diltiazem (0.375 mg/min, 0.75 mg/min, 1 mg/min) prior to ischemia. Eight pigs served as controls. Regional myocardial function was assessed by implanted ultrasonic crystals. Infarct size was determined as ratio of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic myocardium (dye technique). I.c. diltiazem mainly depressed early systolic shortening (isovolumetric contraction) and lengthening during the first half of diastole. Pretreatment with this calcium antagonist significantly delayed the development of infarcts. In control experiments, a mean infarct size of 74% was found after 45-min ischemia. At that time no infarction was observed in the treated group, where infarcts started to evolve after 60-min ischemia. It is concluded that the favorable action of i.c. diltiazem can mainly be ascribed to a reduced myocardial oxygen consumption at the onset of ischemia.

Animals↗

Combined treatment with vitamins E and C in experimental myocardial infarction in pigs.

The effect of two different combined treatments with vitamin E acetate and vitamin C on infarct size and recovery of regional myocardial function was investigated in ischemic, reperfused porcine hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery was distally ligated in 30 thoracotomized pigs for 45 minutes followed by 3 days of reperfusion. Infarct size was determined as the ratio of infarcted (tetrazolium stain) to ischemic (dye technique) myocardium. Regional myocardial function was assessed by sonomicrometry. Ten pigs received vitamin E acetate (12 gm intravenously three times for 1 week) before ischemic and vitamin C (4.4 gm intravenously) before reperfusion (therapy A). Another 10 pigs were treated with vitamin E acetate (12 gm intraarterially) and vitamin C (4.4 gm intravenously) during ischemia (therapy B). An additional 10 pigs served as a control group. Global hemodynamics did not differ significantly among the groups before and during ischemia. Mean plasma concentrations of vitamin E amounted to 107 micrograms/ml in group A, 16 micrograms/ml in group B, and 0.9 micrograms/ml in the control group at the onset of reperfusion. Therapy A reduced the size of the infarct from 73 +/- 12% to 47 +/- 16% of the region at risk (p less than 0.005) and improved regional systolic shortening from 0 +/- 7% to 11 +/- 6% at 3 days after reperfusion (p less than 0.01). Therapy B decreased the size of the infarct to 64 +/- 9% of the region at risk (p = 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗