EFFECTS OF OXODIPINE AND NITRENDIPINE ON THE SIZE OF EXPERIMENTAL MYOCARDIAL INFARCT IN THE RAT

The protective effect of either oxodipine or nitrendipine (4 mg/kg/twi ce daily, orally), two dihydropyridines exhibiting calcium channel-blo cking properties, against induced infarct-like lesions was examined. E xperimental myocardial infarct-like lesions were induced in rats by su bcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (0.5 mg/kg). The lesions were ma inly located in subendocardial areas of the free wall of the left vent ricle, and were intramural at the apex and ventricular septum. Pretrea tment with oxodipine significantly reduced the infarct size in the api cal and basal myocardium (P<0.05). Possible explantations for the lack of effect of nitrendipine pretreatment are discussed.