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It has been claimed that Nigella sativa seeds (NSS), also known as black cumin, have antidiabetic and lipid-lowering properties. Our pilot study investigated the effects of powdered NSS on insulin secretion and lipid profile in healthy male volunteers. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 4-week trial in 30 subjects, receiving NSS powder (1 g/day) or placebo orally (15 subjects/group). Insulin secretion as determined by the hyperglycaemic clamp technique, insulin sensitivity as well as cholesterol and triglycerides serum concentrations, were measured before and after treatment. NSS powder administration was clinically well tolerated. It did not modify fasting glycaemia and insulinaemia, and was ineffective on glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. No significant changes on serum lipids were observed after treatment in any treatment groups, nor between the two treatment groups. However, in the treated group only, there was a significant correlation between total cholesterol change after treatment and its baseline level (r = -0.71, P = 0.006, n = 13), and between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol change after treatment and its baseline level (r = -0.74, P = 0.004, n = 13). No such correlations were found for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and for triglycerides. These results do not confirm any NSS effect on glucose regulation; however, they suggest that NSS powder may be of interest in lowering lipid concentrations in hyperlipidaemic subjects., (© 2019 The British Pharmacological Society.)

Current antihypertensive strategies do not take into account that individual characteristics may influence the magnitude of blood pressure (BP) reduction. Guidelines promote trial-and-error approaches with many different drugs. We conducted the Identification of the Determinants of the Efficacy of Arterial blood pressure Lowering drugs (IDEAL) Trial to identify factors associated with BP responses to perindopril and indapamide. IDEAL was a cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, involving four 4-week periods: indapamide, perindopril and two placebo. Eligible patients were untreated, hypertensive and aged 25-70 years. The main outcome was systolic BP (SBP) response to drugs. The 112 participants with good compliance had a mean age of 52. One in every three participants was a woman. In middle-aged women, the SBP reduction from drugs was -11.5 mm Hg (indapamide) and -8.3 mm Hg (perindopril). In men, the response was significantly smaller: -4.8 mm Hg (indapamide) and -4.3 (perindopril) (P for sex differences 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). SBP response to perindopril decreased by 2 mm Hg every 10 years of age in both sexes (P=0.01). The response to indapamide increased by 3 mm Hg every 10 years of age gradient in women (P=0.02). Age and sex were important determinants of BP response for antihypertensive drugs in the IDEAL population. This should be taken into account when choosing drugs a priori.

Purpose: Bupropion is largely used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation therapy. The aim of this work was to compare pharmacodynamic properties of bupropion and the amphetamine-like methylphenidate after sustained administration in humans., Methods: Twelve male volunteers completed this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study. Bupropion and methylphenidate were administered separately for initial half-dose 6-day periods (150 and 10 mg respectively) followed by full-dose 8-day periods (300 and 20 mg respectively). Outcomes were subjective feelings, cognitive performances, autonomic and physiological parameters., Results: Data are expressed as mean(SEM). After repeated administration, bupropion, like methylphenidate, decreased asthenia-fatigue [44(3.2) and 42(3.7), respectively vs. 53(4.1) for placebo; p = 0.034], despite an impairment of sleep onset [-4.3(3.32) and -1.9(3.76), respectively vs. +7.5(3.69); p = 0.016]. Both drugs increased resting diastolic blood pressure [67.9(1.23) and 65.7(0.98), respectively vs. 62.5(1.42) mm Hg; p = 0.001], body temperature [36.5(0.12) and 36.5(0.14) vs. 36.3(0.10) °C; p = 0.037] and decreased body weight [-0.7(0.23) and -0.6(0.22), respectively vs. +0.2(0.27) kg; p = 0.038]. No significant change could be observed on cognitive functions, appetite and energy consumption., Conclusion: Although it may not share all the properties of stimulant drugs, the effect profile of bupropion presents a number of similarities with that of methylphenidate over a 2-week treatment period.

Statin use may be limited by muscle side effects. Although incompletely understood to date, their pathophysiology may involve oxidative stress and impairments of mitochondrial function and of muscle Ca(2+) homeostasis. In order to simultaneously assess these mechanisms, 24 male healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either simvastatin for 80 mg daily or placebo for 8 weeks. Blood and urine samples and a stress test were performed at baseline and at follow-up, and mitochondrial respiration and Ca(2+) spark properties were evaluated on a muscle biopsy 4 days before the second stress test. Simvastatin-treated subjects were separated according to their median creatine kinase (CK) increase. Simvastatin treatment induced a significant elevation of aspartate amino transferase (3.38±5.68 vs -1.15±4.32 UI/L, P<0.001) and CK (-24.3±99.1±189.3 vs 48.3 UI/L, P=0.01) and a trend to an elevation of isoprostanes (193±408 vs 12±53 pmol/mmol creatinine, P=0.09) with no global change in mitochondrial respiration, lactate/pyruvate ratio or Ca(2+) sparks. However, among statin-treated subjects, those with the highest CK increase displayed a significantly lower Vmax rotenone succinate and an increase in Ca(2+) spark amplitude vs both subjects with the lowest CK increase and placebo-treated subjects. Moreover, Ca(2+) spark amplitude was positively correlated with treatment-induced CK increase in the whole group (r=0.71, P=0.0045). In conclusion, this study further supports that statin induced muscular toxicity may be related to alterations in mitochondrial respiration and muscle calcium homeostasis independently of underlying disease or concomitant medication., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify markers (phenotypic, genetic, or environmental) of blood pressure (BP) response profiles to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and diuretics., Methods: IDEAL was a crossover (two active and two wash out phases), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible patients were untreated hypertensive, aged 25 to 70. After two visits, patients were randomized to one of four sequences. The main outcome was BP differences between the active treatment and placebo., Results: One hundred and twenty-four patients were randomised: mean age 53, men 65%, family history of hypertension 60%. Average BP fall at each visit before randomisation was about 2% of the initial level reflecting both a regression to the mean and a placebo effect., Conclusion: The results are expected to improve knowledge in drug's mechanisms of action and pathophysiology of hypertension, and to help in personalizing treatment. The estimation of BP responses to each drug in standardized conditions provided a benefit to each participant., (© 2012 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.)

Purpose: Istaroxime is a new luso-inotropic compound. It exerts inotropic action by reducing Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and simultaneously it stimulates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase function, thus also inducing lusitropic action. The aim of present study is to assess the effect of chronic istaroxime treatment on cardiac function and heart rate variability in Bio TO.2 Syrian hamster model of progressive heart failure., Methods: Bio TO.2 hamsters were daily treated, from 12 to 28 weeks of age, with 30 mg/kg/day oral istaroxime. Age-matched Bio TO.2 and Bio F1B hamsters were treated with vehicle and used as diseased and healthy controls. At the end of treatment, hearts function and autonomic cardiac control were evaluated., Results: Hearts from vehicle-treated Bio TO.2 when compared with hearts from Bio F1B showed higher heart/body weight ratio, and lower left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), positive and negative derivative of LV pressure (dP/dT), coronary flow rate (CFR). Hearts from istaroxime-treated when compared with those of vehicle-treated hamsters, showed the reduction of heart/body weight ratio, and the increase of LVSP, of both positive and negative dP/dT, and of CFR. Autonomic cardiac control, evaluated by HRV analysis, indicated in vehicle-treated Bio TO.2 hamsters, when compared to healthy, a shift towards increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activities. Istaroxime-treatment preserved parasympathetic activity., Conclusions: Chronic istaroxime improves cardiac function and heart rate variability in Bio TO.2 Syrian hamster model of progressive heart failure.

Background: Adequate pharmacologic cardiac support in acute myocardial infarction (MI), as well as in chronic MI patients under beta-blocker therapy, is problematic due to the impaired cardiac response to beta-adrenergic agonists. New therapeutic approaches could resolve this problem. Istaroxime (ISTA) is a new Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor and SERCA(2) agonist., Aims: To evaluate: 1) the effects of dobutamine (DOB) on left ventricular function in early (48-72 h) and late (14 days) phases of a post-MI canine model, compared to ISTA, and 2) the efficacy of DOB in chronic left ventricular dysfunction (6 months post-MI) in dogs pre-treated or not with a beta-blocker, compared with ISTA and milrinone (MIL)., Results: When compared to the effects in healthy animals, DOB increased contractility only slightly in the first 48-72 h post-MI, whereas its efficacy recovered partially by day 14 and fully by 6 months after MI. ISTA had a greater effect on contractility than DOB and improved relaxation, while DOB did not. Moreover, beta-adrenergic blockade inhibited the inotropic action of DOB, without altering the effect of ISTA. Surprisingly, beta-adrenergic blockade blunted the effects of MIL., Conclusion: ISTA may represent a novel strategy for enhancing left ventricular performance even in the context of acute MI and/or concomitant beta-adrenergic blockade.

Istaroxime is a new luso-inotropic compound selected for the treatment of acute heart failure syndromes, which reduces sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity and stimulates the sarcoplasmic calcium ATPase isoform 2 reuptake function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of istaroxime. For this purpose, istaroxime was administered during a 24-hour infusion to conscious dogs with chronic heart failure and to genetically cardiomyopathic BIO TO.2 hamsters for 34 weeks orally. The parameters recorded were arrhythmic events and hemodynamic effects in dogs and mortality in hamsters. In dogs, istaroxime at 1, 3, and 4 microg/kg per min did not trigger arrhythmic events or magnify preexisting events. It increased left ventricular (LV) dP/dtmax (about 50% at 3 microg/kg per min) and LV-dP/dtmax (about 20% at 3 microg/kg per min) without changing heart rate, blood pressure, or double product. At 4 microg/kg per min, istaroxime increased dP/dtmax>100% but induced intense emesis in all animals. In cardiomyopathic hamsters, the dose of 30 mg/kg prolonged the survival rate to 32%. In conclusion, istaroxime seems to be a promising and safe new drug for improving cardiac performance in the failing heart.

Inotropic agents for acute decompensated heart failure are associated with a lack of efficacy or increased mortality. New compounds are needed to support patients with acute exacerbations of heart failure. This study examined the hemodynamic effects of a new inotropic agent (PST-2744) in dogs with chronic ischemic heart failure. Eight mongrel dogs at low risk for postmyocardial infarction (MI) sudden death entered the protocol. Dogs were studied after ischemic left ventricular dysfunction was induced by repeated injections of latex microspheres into the circumflex artery until the ejection fraction reached 35%. Hemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and peak drug effect (PST-2744 5 microg.kg-1.min-1). In 5 animals, PST-2744 effects were compared with dobutamine. Heart rates, PR intervals and QT intervals were unchanged following PST-2744 administration. PST-2744 increased contractility (+dP/dt) by 56% from 1881 +/- 282 mm Hg/s to 2939 +/- 734 mm Hg/s (P < 0.01). The inotropic effect of PST-2744 was equal to that produced by 5-microg.kg-1.min-1 dobutamine (56% increase in +dP/dt), but peak heart rates were significantly higher with dobutamine (129 +/- 24 bpm PST-2744 versus 160 +/- 6 bpm 5-microg.kg-1.min-1 dobutamine, P < 0.002). No arrhythmias or conduction delays were seen with either compound. PST-2744 is an effective inotropic agent without positive chronotropic effect in subjects with stable moderate left ventricular dysfunction.

There is strong evidence that autonomic imbalance plays an important role in progression of heart failure. Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) has achieved substantial acceptance as a noninvasive method for the assessment of autonomic tone. The purpose of this investigation was to study HRV in an experimental model of heart failure using cardiomyopathic (BIO TO.2) hamsters. Animals showed an autonomic imbalance of cardiac control that seems due to attenuation of parasympathetic activity and an enhanced sympathetic tone. The reduction of parasympathetic activity in BIO TO.2 hamsters is suggested by (a) the reduction of the high-frequency (HF) spectrum, and (b) the lack of atropine to generate a response. The increased sympathetic activity is indicated by (a) the decreased time-domain indexes, (b) the increased LF/HF ratio of the power spectrum, and (c) the alteration of HRV indexes induced by propranolol. These results support the notion that in heart failure, there is a similar autonomic imbalance in both human and hamster and suggest that the cardiomyopathic hamster is a suitable experimental model for studying the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in the progression of heart failure.

We reported the case of an acute aortic dissection complicating right guiding catheter manipulation during engagement in the right coronary ostium. Despite absence of hemodynamic deterioration, dissection progressed rapidly from the sinus of Valsalva to the ascending aorta along its entire length. At surgery, performed in emergency, the aorta was not dilated and the aortic wall did not appear pathologic. Therefore conservative surgery was performed, consisting of suture of the aortic tear and incollage of the false lumen, with good immediate and mid-term results.

Although potassium channel openers have been demonstrated to induce arterial vasodilation and shortening of the QT interval, the complete in vivo hemodynamic and electrophysiologic profile of these drugs has not been fully established. We evaluated the effects of BRL 38227, the active enantiomer of cromakalim, on the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic parameters in anesthetized dogs. Four intravenous (i.v.) doses (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg) of BRL 38227 (lemakalim) were given to four different groups of 6 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs. Electrophysiologic and hemodynamic parameters were measured with bipolar catheters positioned in the right atria and the right ventricle and double micromanometers placed in the left ventricle and the aorta. Nine dogs died of ventricular fibrillation (VF; 6 of 6 after 0.3 mg/kg, 2 of 8 dogs after 0.1 mg/kg, and 1 of 7 dogs after 0.03 mg/kg BRL 38227). Three dogs had atrial tachycardia (1 had atrial flutter and 1 had atrial fibrillation after 0.03 mg/kg, and 1 had atrial fibrillation after 0.01 mg/kg BRL 38227). BRL 38227 did not modify heart rate (HR), corrected sinus recovery time (CSRT), and atrial or atrio-ventricular (A-V) conduction times. In contrast, PR interval, Luciani-Wenckebach cycle length (LW), HV interval, QRS duration, ventricular effective refractory period (VERP), QT interval, and monophasic action potential (AP) were significantly shortened in a dose-dependent manner. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was not modified, whereas LVdP/dtmax decreased significantly at 0.1 mg/kg BRL 38227. Finally, there was a significant dose-dependent decrease in systolic, diastolic, and mean aortic blood pressure (SBP, DBP, MAP). We conclude that BRL 38227 shortens the ventricular parameters of conduction velocity and of repolarization and decreases BP, both in a dose-dependent manner. All doses were arrhythmogenic, suggesting that BRL 38227 has a low safety margin.

We have examined the ability of lemakalim to correct bupivacaine-induced cardiac electrophysiological impairment in an experimental electrophysiological model in closed-chest dogs. Two groups (n = 6) of pentobarbitone-anaesthetized dogs were given atropine 0.2 mg kg-1 i.v., and bupivacine 4 mg kg-1 i.v. over 10 s. Group 2 received also lemakalim 0.03 mg kg-1 i.v. Bupivacaine induced bradycardia, prolonged PR and His-ventricle (HV) intervals, QRS duration, QTc and JTc intervals, decreased left ventricular (LV) dP/dt max and increased LV end-diastolic pressure. Lemakalim reversed bupivacaine-induced PR, HV, QRS, QTc and JTc prolongation, and did not worsen bupivacaine-induced bradycardia and haemodynamic depression. We conclude that lemakalim can antagonize the main deleterious electrophysiological effects induced by a large dose of bupivacaine in anaesthetized dogs.

Bupivacaine is more cardiodepressant than lidocaine. Nevertheless, the marked depression of contractility induced by bupivacaine cannot be completely explained by its electrophysiologic properties alone. Biophysical differences such as the greater lipid solubility of bupivacaine versus lidocaine must be taken into consideration. Perhaps more bupivacaine enters the cardiac cells and interacts with contractile processes. To test this hypothesis, the entry of lidocaine into the cells was facilitated by a membrane-permeant lipophilic anion, tetraphenylboron. We compared the spontaneous atrial rate and the contractile force of rabbit right atria bathing in solutions containing either 0.5 microgram/mL lidocaine or bupivacaine. Group 1 (n = 8) served to test the stability of the preparation. In group 2 (n = 6), tetraphenylboron (17 micrograms/mL) was added to Tyrode's solution; atrial rate was decreased by 8% and contractile force by 1.7%. In group 3 (n = 6), bupivacaine (0.5 microgram/mL) was added; bupivacaine decreased atrial rate by 11.3% and markedly depressed contractile force by 68.3%. In group 4 (n = 6), lidocaine (0.5 microgram/mL) was added; lidocaine did not change atrial rate but decreased contractile force by 6.0%. In group 5 (n = 6), both lidocaine and tetraphenylboron were added; atrial rate was decreased by 15.5% and contractile force was markedly depressed by 81.1%. In group 6 (n = 6), 0.2 mM adenosine triphosphate, tetraphenylboron, and then lidocaine were added; the addition of adenosine triphosphate partially counteracted the cardiodepressant effects of the combination of lidocaine and tetraphenylboron. Atrial rate was decreased by 10.4% and contractile force was depressed by 13.6%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The ability of clonidine and dobutamine to correct bupivacaine-induced cardiac electrophysiologic and hemodynamic impairment was evaluated in an experimental electrophysiologic model on closed-chest dogs. Five groups (n = 6) of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs were given atropine (0.2 mg/kg IV). Group 1 was given a saline solution; all other dogs were given bupivacaine (4 mg/kg IV) over a 10-s period. Group 2 was given only bupivacaine. Group 3 was given clonidine (0.01 mg/kg IV) over a 1-min period. Group 4 was given a dobutamine infusion at 5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. Group 5 was given the combination of clonidine and dobutamine. Bupivacaine induced bradycardia, prolonged atrioventricular conduction time (PR interval), atrioventricular node conduction time (AH interval), His-Purkinje conduction time (HV interval), and QRS duration. Bupivacaine decreased left ventricular (LV) dP/dt max and increased LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Clonidine improved QRS duration and HV interval but enhanced AH interval, bradycardia, and hemodynamic depression induced by bupivacaine. Dobutamine infusion improved LV dP/dt max but did not modify bupivacaine-induced ventricular electrophysiologic impairment. The combination of clonidine and dobutamine corrected not only the electrophysiologic impairment induced by bupivacaine but also the hemodynamic depression. As the HV interval and the QRS duration could be correlated with ventricular conduction velocities, we conclude that (a) clonidine reversed the slowing of ventricular conduction velocities induced by bupivacaine, and (b) the combination of clonidine and dobutamine was able to correct the cardiac disturbances induced by bupivacaine in anesthetized dogs.

The intravascular injection of a large dose of bupivacaine induces electrophysiological cardiac impairment, mainly by slowing ventricular conduction velocity, and haemodynamic depression, by a decrease in myocardial contractility. When cardiotoxicity occurs, succinylcholine rapidly stops convulsions. However, the possible interactions between bupivacaine and succinylcholine on cardiac electrophysiology and haemodynamic status have never been investigated. Thus, we used an experimental electrophysiological model involving closed-chest dogs. Three groups (n = 6) of pentobarbital-anaesthetized dogs were given 0.2 mg.kg-1 atropine iv. Dogs in Group 1 were given saline. The others received 4 mg.kg-1 bupivacaine iv over ten seconds. Dogs in Group 2 were then given saline and those in Group 3 were then given 2 mg.kg-1 succinylcholine iv from one to two minutes after the administration of bupivacaine. The following electrophysiological variables were measured: heart rate represented by RR interval (RR), PR, atria-His (AH), and His-ventricle (HV) intervals, QRS duration, and QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc). The following haemodynamic variables were measured: mean aortic pressure (MAoP), the peak of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dt max), and LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Comparison between Groups 1 and 2 showed that bupivacaine induced more than 100% HV interval lengthening and QRS widening (P less than 0.01), prolonged QTc interval by more than 25% (P less than 0.01), and decreased LV dP/dt max by more than 50% (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A common property of all Class I antiarrhythmic agents is the inhibition of the fast inward current INa. Consequently, ventricular conduction velocities are impaired and reentrant phenomena are counteracted. Unfortunately, these conductive pathway disturbances may also induce proarrhythmic effects and reduce cardiac contractility. Recent evidence indicates that a cholinergic agonist, carbachol, is able to correct in vitro both the duration of the action potential and the partial depolarization induced by lidocaine and quinidine in rabbit atria. In the present study, we demonstrated that i.v. carbachol is also a powerful agent in vivo for correcting conductive disturbances previously induced by four different Class I antiarrhythmic agents. The electrophysiological and hemodynamic parameters of ten groups of atropinized-anesthetized dogs, including six animals per group, were investigated. QRS duration, HV and V-St intervals were selected as in vivo indexes of ventricular conduction. Quinidine, procainamide, cibenzoline and flecainide were selected as representative agents of Class Ia and Ic antiarrhythmic drugs. In all treated groups, carbachol (1 mg/kg) was able to correct the indexes of ventricular conduction previously impaired by the antiarrhythmic drug used.

The effects of various concentrations of bupivacaine on the characteristics of the slow-inward current (isi) were studied over a ten-minute period on isolated frog atria. At a concentration of 10(-7) M, bupivacaine did not modify isi. At 10(-6) M, the maximal amplitude of the slow-inward current (i max) was depressed by 11 per cent. At 10(-5) M, i max was depressed by 24.5 per cent, the time-to-peak current value (tpeak) was increased by 13.4 per cent and the inactivation time constant (tau in) by 29.8 per cent. At 10(-4) M, i max was depressed by 32.9 per cent, tpeak increased by 30.4 per cent and tau in by 58.7 per cent. In conclusion, bupivacaine produced only moderate inhibition of the slow-inward current. The findings might explain the decline in sinus impulse formation with sinus bradycardia, and the slowing of atrio-ventricular node conduction produced by bupivacaine. However, the decrease in contractility previously reported does not seem to be due only to inhibition of the slow-inward current.

Recently published clinical data on the efficacy and side-effect profiles of flecainide and propafenone are reviewed. Both compounds appear to be clinically effective for the control of a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, both ventricular as well as supraventricular. These include termination of atrial fibrillation, control of junctional tachycardias, and control of ventricular arrhythmias. While the incidence of noncardiac side effects appeared to be similar for both compounds, proarrhythmic effects appeared to be higher on flecainide than on propafenone, especially with doses higher than 400 mg.

Bupivacaine is known to impair the electrophysiology of the heart as well as haemodynamic parameters. Administration of calcium channel blockers prior to bupivacaine enhances its cardiotoxicity. This study assessed the effects of bupivacaine at toxic dose in dogs with previous beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. It included 12 dogs anaesthetized with thiopentone, allocated in a control group (n = 6) receiving a bolus of bupivacaine (4 mg.kg-1) and a study group (n = 6) treated with the sequence propranolol (0.2 mg.kg-1) and bupivacaine (4 mg.kg-1), 15 min later. Infranodal conduction (HV conduction times and QRS durations) was worsened in both groups. Previous propranolol administration had no potentiating effects on these parameters. Conversely the latter was responsible of a greater decrease in heart rate, and increase in atrio-ventricular conduction time (77.9% vs 18.7%, p less than 0.05), as well as a more severe hypotension. Moreover, 3 out of the 6 animals in the study group suffered a cardiac arrest between the 5th and the 10th min. It is concluded that in anaesthetized dogs the cardiac and circulatory effects of a toxic dose of bupivacaine are increased in case of preexisting blockade of beta adrenergic receptors.

Penticainide is a new class I antiarrhythmic agent. Its electrophysiological effects and pharmacokinetic properties were studied in 28 patients undergoing endocavitary exploration for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (10 cases), WPW syndrome involving an accessory pathway (5 cases), and unexplained dizziness (13 cases). Increasing doses of penticainide were infused in the first 18 patients (0.12 up to 3.5 mg kg-1). The next ten patients received 4 mg kg-1 over a 30 minute period. Penticainide shortened the sinus cycle length and increased the transnodal conduction time. The ventricular conduction time tended to increase. Atrial functional refractory period increased when atrioventricular nodal and ventricular refractory periods remained unchanged. In patients with previous supraventricular tachycardias all triggered arrhythmias were prevented with dosages higher than 2 mg kg-1 and related blood levels higher than 3 mg l-1. A dose-dependency of plasma and renal clearance was documented. Average Cmax values after 4 mg kg-1 was 7.37 +/- 1.28 mg l-1. No adverse events occurred during the trial and penticainide proved to be well tolerated.

Histamine is released into the systemic circulation during anaphylaxis, by drugs and surgical procedures. Studies in animal models have shown that released histamine is one of the major mediators of arrhythmia occurring during anaphylaxis or the administration of histamine-releasing drugs. The variations in plasma histamine levels in dogs with a subacute coronary thrombosis were investigated and the effects of dimaprit and cimetidine on the electrocardiographic consequence of this thrombosis and on histamine release were assessed. During the first day after the myocardial infarction a ventricular arrhythmia developed and plasma histamine levels were found significantly increased, returning to the basal values when the sinusal rhythm was restored. Dimaprit was able to decrease the number of ventricular extrasystoles and to modulate plasma histamine levels. The action of dimaprit on ECG was not reversed by pretreatment with cimetidine, which on the contrary was able to antagonize the decrease in plasma histamine concentrations induced by dimaprit perfusion.

The hemodynamic response to submaximal exercise was investigated in 38 mongrel dogs with healed anterior wall myocardial infarctions. The dogs were chronically instrumented to measure heart rate (HR), left ventricular pressure (LVP), LVP rate of change, and coronary blood flow. A 2 min coronary occlusion was initiated during the last minute of an exercise stress test and continued for 1 min after cessation of exercise. Nineteen dogs had ventricular fibrillation (susceptible) while 19 animals did not (resistant) during this test. The cardiac response to submaximal exercise was markedly different between the two groups. The susceptible dogs exhibited a significantly higher HR and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) but a significantly lower left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) in response to exercise than did the resistant animals. (For example, response to 6.4 kph at 8% grade; HR, susceptible 201.4 +/- 5.1 beats/min vs. resistant 176.2 +/- 5.6 beats/min; LVEDP, susceptible 19.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg vs. resistant 12.3 +/- 1.7 mmHg; LVSP, susceptible 136.9 +/- 7.9 mmHg vs. resistant 154.6 +/- 9.8 mmHg.) beta-Adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol reduced the difference noted in the HR response but exacerbated the LVP differences (response to 6.4 kph at 8% grade; HR, susceptible 163.4 +/- 4.7 mmHg vs. resistant 150.3 +/- 6.4 mmHg; LVEDP susceptible 28.4 +/- 2.1 mmHg vs. resistant 19.6 +/- 3.0 mmHg; LVSP, susceptible 122.2 +/- 8.1 mmHg vs. resistant 142.8 +/- 10.7 mmHg). These data indicate that the animals particularly vulnerable to ventricular fibrillation also exhibit a greater degree of left ventricular dysfunction and an increased sympathetic efferent activity.

We studied the haemodynamic effects of captopril [3 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.)] and SR 42128 (8 mg/kg in a 30-min perfusion) in the conscious baboon after sodium depletion by furosemide. The evolution of the following parameters was studied: plasma renin activity (PRA), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), first derivative of the left intraventricular pressure (dP/dt) and total peripheral resistance (TPR). Captopril (n = 5) increased PRA twofold and decreased MAP and TPR. Heart rate, CO and dP/dtmax were not significantly modified. As compared with a control group (n = 5), SR 42128 (n = 5) decreased PRA to almost undetectable levels for at least 2 h and decreased MAP, CO and TPR. It did not alter HR or dP/dtmax. Thus we can conclude that SR 42128 is a long-acting inhibitor of circulating renin in baboons and, in our experimental conditions, SR 42128, like captopril, induced a decrease in blood pressure without detrimental effect on cardiac function.

Hemodynamic changes following intravenous administration of SR 42128A (SR), a potent renin inhibitor, were evaluated in normal (N) and sodium-depleted (SD) anesthetized baboons. SR, at 9 mg/kg, decreased arterial pressure (AP) only in the SD group. This effect persisted for at least 2.30 h. At this dose, SR decreased the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and increased the cardiac output in the SD group more than in the normal group. In both groups, heart rate was slightly increased. However, in the normal group, the highest dose (12 mg/kg) induced the same hemodynamic responses as the dose of 9 mg/kg in the SD group. Every time, plasma renin activity (PRA) was inhibited. Thus, in SD baboons, SR produced a hypotensive effect more pronounced than in the normal group. The dose-related effect on AP seemed to be correlated with the change in SVR. We can conclude that total inhibition of PRA is necessary but not sufficient, under normal conditions, to get an adequate lowering of SVR and a hypotensive effect.

The in vitro binding of [3H]SR42128 (Iva-Phe-Nle-Sta-Ala-Sta-Arg), a potent inhibitor of human renin activity, to purified human renin and a number of other aspartic proteases was examined. SR42128 was found to be a competitive inhibitor of human renin, with a Ki of 0.35 nM at pH 5.7 and 2.0 nM at pH 7.4; it was thus more effective at pH 5.7 than at pH 7.4. Scatchard analysis of the interaction binding of [3H]SR42128 to human renin indicated that binding was reversible and saturable at both pH 5.7 and pH 7.4. There was a single class of binding sites, and the KD was 0.9 nM at pH 5.7 and 1 nM at pH 7.4. The association rate was 10 times more rapid at pH 5.7 than at pH 7.4, but there was no difference between the rates of dissociation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex at the two pHs. The effect of pH on the binding of [3H]SR42128 to human renin, cathepsin D, pepsin, and gastricsin was also examined over the pH range 3-8. All the aspartic proteases had a high affinity for the inhibitor at low pH. However, at pH 7.4, [3H]SR42128 was bound only to human renin and to none of the other aspartic proteases. Competitive binding studies with [3H]SR42128 and a number of other inhibitors on human renin or cathepsin D were used to examine the relationships between structure and activity in these systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Numerous amphiphilic cationic drugs cause lipid-lysosomal storage in animal tissues; one of these drugs is amiodarone, a major antiarrhythmic agent. The toxicological effects of amiodarone were studied in three animal species (rats, dogs, and monkeys). It was shown that sublethal dose levels of amiodarone induced lipid storage in a great variety of tissues in rats (Fischer and Sprague-Dawley strains) and dogs. However, this change was not observed in baboons and Wistar rats. This storage, essentially characterized by lamellated inclusions, affected foamy macrophages, and at a later phase multiple cell types. Tissue biochemical analysis provided evidence of the phospholipidic nature of the storage. In addition, amiodarone induced an increased cholesterolemia and marked modifications of the lipoproteinogram. The kinetics of lipid storage was demonstrated following oral administration of amiodarone. After jejunal absorption, lipid storage occurred in the mesenteric lymph nodes followed by widespread deposition in the other lymph nodes and tissues, particularly in the lung. A complete recovery from lipid storage as observed in dogs and rats. Finally, an investigation of a correlation between animal and man by means of long-term experiments is proposed.

The solvent of commercial amiodarone (Polysorbate 80) has been reported to produce haemodynamic responses in humans and in dogs similar to those produced by histamine infusion. We therefore evaluated the correlation between hypotension induced by the solvent of amiodarone and its histamine-releasing properties in the awake dog. The solvent of amiodarone administered to a dog, over 5 min in a dose of 10 mg/kg of Polysorbate 80, produced severe hypotension after the first administration; the second injection (24 h later) caused fewer hypotensive effects. Histamine release in the peripheral tissues was demonstrated by a marked increase in plasma histamine concentrations, with the maximum value 10 min after the solvent administration. H1- and H2-receptor blockade with mepyramine (5 mg/kg) and cimetidine (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the cardiovascular effects of the solvent. Isolated peritoneal mast cells from rats also released histamine in response to Polysorbate 80. These studies show that Polysorbate 80 releases histamine both in vitro and in isolated mast cells from rats and in vivo in the dog, and that the plasma concentrations are correlated with the haemodynamic responses.

The mechanisms underlying the non-competitive beta-antagonistic properties of amiodarone were investigated, and the haemodynamic responses to exercise following the administration of oral amiodarone or intravenous propranolol were compared in dogs with a healed myocardial infarction submitted to a graded treadmill exercise. In radioligand binding studies, amiodarone, up to 10 mumol/L did not compete with 125I-iodocyanopindolol for binding to rat heart beta-adrenoceptors. Exposure of cardiac membranes to greater concentrations of amiodarone induced a significant decrease in the number of beta-adrenoceptors without affecting their affinity for 125I-iodocyanopindolol. Similar results were observed ex vivo, in rats after single or multiple dose administration. When added in vitro to rat heart membranes, amiodarone non-competitively inhibited the activation of adenylate cyclase by isoprenaline, glucagon and secretin. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by those agents which act at more internal sites in the sarcolemmal membrane such as GppNHp, sodium fluoride or forskolin, was much less affected by amiodarone. In dogs performing at a submaximal work level, amiodarone significantly reduced heart rate and tended to increase coronary flow and to reduce left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, but did not affect left ventricular dP/dt. During submaximal exercise, propranolol had similar effects on heart rate, but dramatically reduced myocardial contractility.

Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain bupivacaine cardiotoxicity, the predominant effect remains to be determined. In this study, we used an isolated rabbit right atrial model that reproduces the effects on inotropic and chronotropic functions induced by 0.5 micrograms/mL bupivacaine; then we tried to counteract these events by electrical stimulation or by addition of CaCl2 or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the bathing solution. Contractile force was dramatically depressed by bupivacaine alone (-68%), even when the preparation was paced (-59%). CaCl2 partially counteracted this decrease (-37%). Inotropic function was almost completely restored (-9%) when ATP was added before administration of bupivacaine. Inhibition of energy metabolism seems to be a major explanation for bupivacaine cardiotoxicity.

Five insulin treated diabetics were studied on three consecutive days. Overnight variable intravenous insulin infusions were used before each study to maintain normoglycaemia and to calculate the optimal basal insulin infusion rate (1.1 +/- 0.1 U/h) which ws then kept constant throughout the study day. A standard 400 kCal breakfast with 25 g xylose was given at 0800 h. When the blood glucose rose above 4.1 mmol/l, an external artificial pancreas was used to infuse either extra insulin (day INS) or somatostatin for either 3h (day som) or the entire 8h experimental period (day SOM). Peak post-prandial blood glucose values were similar on all three days. The blood glucose rebounded after the cessation of the somatostatin infusion on day som. Post-prandial blood xylose peaks were lowered by somatostatin on both days but rebounded after the cessation of the somatostatin infusion on day som. The area under the plasma and urinary xylose curves was lowered by somatostatin only on day SOM. Growth hormone and glucagon levels were not statistically different on all 3 days. Thus somatostatin, when added to an optimal insulin infusion, minimised the insulin requirements by slowing intestinal absorption, but led to rebound hyperglycaemia if not feed-back controlled.

The interaction between human renin and a potent pepstatin analog, SR 42128, has been investigated using binding studies. Binding and enzymatic assays were performed at pH 5.7 and pH 7.4. We found one specific inhibitor binding site per molecule of renin at both pH's. The dissociation constant (KD) obtained at equilibrium was 14-fold lower at pH 5.7 than at pH 7.4, showing a pH effect on binding of [3H]SR 42128. A similar decrease was measured in enzymatic studies. In nonequilibrium conditions, we demonstrated that only association kinetic constants have been affected by pH variations. Radioligands provided interesting tools to investigate enzyme-inhibitor relationships.

A dose-response relationship was involved after an intravenous bolus of a human antirenin monoclonal antibody (4G1D8), in sodium depleted marmosets. The sodium depletion (furosemide: 30 mg/kg/d for 2 days) was used to potentiate the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in the blood pressure (BP) control. To record BP and inject the antibody, 2 catheters were implanted the day before the experiment. The plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured by the RIA of angiotensin I after an incubation of plasmas for 1 hour at pH 7.4. The sodium depletion induced a dramatic increase of PRA (63.68 +/- 20.03 ng/ml/h of angiotensin I compared to 2.96 +/- 1.03; p less than or equal to 0.01; n = 13). The basal BP was 102.6 +/- 2.4 mmHg (n = 17). The maximal fall in BP was noted at about 30 min for the three groups of animals treated by 4G1D8; it was -7.5 +/- 4.3 mmHg at the dose of 0.01 mg/kg (n = 4), -21.3 +/- 3.8 mmHg (p less than or equal to 0.01) at 0.10 mg/kg (n = 4), and -27.5 +/- 1.4 mmHg (p = 0.10) at 0.24 mg/kg (n = 4). At the 0.10 and 0.24 mg/kg doses, the hypotension was lasting (greater than 3 h). PRA was strongly inhibited and HR was little modified. A dose-response relationship with a human antirenin monoclonal antibody, 4G1D8, provides a very interesting pharmacological model for a comparative study of renin inhibitors.

Rats were given amiodarone (50 mg X kg-1 X day-1, orally) for 4 weeks and the distribution of ventricular isomyosins, a sensitive index of the effects of thyroid hormones on cardiac tissue, was analyzed. Amiodarone treatment induced a marked increase in both T4 and rT3 and tended to decrease T3 serum levels. At the pharmacologically active dosage we used, the drug induced a moderate redistribution of ventricular isomyosins in favour of V, at the expense of V1. Our results do not support the hypothesis that the major mechanism of action of amiodarone is mediated through hypothyroid-like effects.

A new potent renin inhibitor, Iva-Phe-Nle-Sta-Ala-Sta-OH (SR 42128), and its arginine salt (SR 42128A) have been synthesized. This compound had a concentration required to displace 50% of ligand binding of 2.8 X 10(-8) M toward human plasma renin at pH 7.4 and was 2,000 times more potent than pepstatin. All primate renins tested were inhibited within the same order of magnitude whereas other animal renins were much less inhibited. The effect in vivo of SR 42128A was studied in sodium-depleted conscious monkeys. A single dose of SR 42128A produced a dose-dependent blood pressure decrease as well as a dose-dependent inhibition of plasma renin activity (PRA). Blood pressure was still significantly lowered 3 h after a single administration of 3 or 10 mg/kg whereas PRA was still completely inhibited. SR 42128 is a potent and long-acting tool for studying the role of the renin angiotensin system in primates and humans.

The intracellular electrophysiologic properties of a new antiarrhythmic substance, penticainide, were studied in isolated rabbit, dog, and guinea pig myocardial preparations superfused or perfused with oxygenated Tyrode's solution. "Therapeutic" concentrations of penticainide (1.5 to 3 X 10(-5) M) had little effect on sinus node automaticity; sinoatrial conduction was slightly delayed. In atrial, Purkinje and ventricular fibers, amplitude, and maximal rate of rise of phase O (dV/dtmax) were decreased by penticainide; Purkinje-ventricle conduction velocity was depressed. Penticainide did not significantly modify action potential duration (APD) of rabbit atria and dog ventricle and reduced APD and effective refractory period (ERP) of dog Purkinje and guinea pig ventricular fibers. Penticainide reduced APD heterogeneity of Purkinje-ventricle junction with a preferential effect at the gate and decreased tension amplitude of perfused papillary muscle in dog heart. The effect of penticainide on dV/dtmax was voltage and rate dependent; the resting block was weak. Thus, penticainide is a class 1 antiarrhythmic agent with properties of class 1B agents such as APD reduction and properties of class 1C agents such as slow recovery kinetic of rate-dependent block.