LEFT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTION OF THE HEART REGRESSED BY NIFEDIPINE IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Left ventricular (LV) performance of the pharmacologically regressed h eart in hypertension is still unclear. We compared LV function of the heart regressed by nifedipine with that of the hypertrophied heart in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Nifedipine (30 mg/kg/day in foo d) was given to 15-week-old male SHR for 20 weeks (n=12). Age- and sex -matched SHR served as controls (n=12). LV catheterization was perform ed using a micromanometer and cardiac output was determined by the the rmodilution method. Hemodynamic studies were performed after washout o f nifedipine (24 h), when blood pressure had returned to the untreated level. Peak pumping ability was assessed during acute volume loading with saline. Nifedipine significantly decreased blood pressure in cons cious animals (222+/-11 to 201+/-12mmHg, p<0.01) and reduced LV weight (1.20+/-0.07 to 1.07+/-0.05g, p<0.01). After washout of nifedipine, L V systolic and end-diastolic pressures, dp/dt(max) and cardiac output determined under pentobarbital anesthesia were similar in the treated and untreated groups. Peak pumping ability during acute preload elevat ion was also similar in the 2 groups. Plasma norepinephrine was unalte red, and plasma renin activity was significantly lower in the treated rats (p<0.05). These results indicate that nifedipine regressed LVH wi th a minimal reduction of blood pressure and without evidence of neuro humoral activation or volume retention. In conclusion, LV function of the heart regressed by nifedipine was preserved after a spontaneous ri se in blood pressure and during acute preload elevation.