B. Das et al., Effects of nicorandil administration on survival rate and arrhythmias during reperfusion in anesthetized rabbits, PHARMACOL, 63(3), 2001, pp. 134-141
The aim was to study the effects of nicorandil (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel
opener) and tolbutamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker) on reperfusi
on-induced arrhythmias in pentobarbitone and ketamine anesthetized rabbits.
Arrhythmias were induced by reperfusion for 20 min following a 15-min liga
tion of the left main coronary artery with a silk ligature. Rabbits were pr
etreated with nicorandil (0.47, 0.93 or 1.86 mg/kg Lv.) or tolbutamide (180
mg/kg Lp.) or vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide/saline) before the coronary arter
y occlusion. In the control group (n = 10), only 60% of the animals survive
d during reperfusion. Intravenous pretreatment with 0.47, 0.93 or 1.86 mg/k
g of nicorandil increased the survival rate to 86% (n = 7), 75% (n = 8) and
86% (n = 7), respectively. Nicorandil pretreatment significantly decreased
the incidence and duration of reperfusion-induced life-threatening arrhyth
mias and increased the number of animals that survived without developing a
ny arrhythmia. Tolbutamide pretreatment was associated with a decreased sur
vival rate of 50% (n = 12) and an increase in the incidence and duration of
reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Pretreatment with nicorandil may result i
n protection against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and increased survival
in anesthetized rabbits. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.