Selective and competitive histamine H2-receptor blocking effect of famotidine on the blood pressure response in dogs and the acid secretory response in rats

Famotidine has been already demonstrated to be a competitive H2-receptor antagonist in the stomachs of dogs and cats. The present experiments were carried out to examine the effects of famotidine on changes in blood pressure induced by dimaprit and several other agonists in vagotomized, anesthetized dogs and on changes in gastric acid secretion induced by histamine in stomach-perfused, anesthetized rats. Famotidine caused a parallel displacement of the dimaprit dose-response curve to the right with a DR10 value of 0.059 mumols/kg, indicating that famotidine is 166 times more potent than cimetidine in vascular H2-blocking activity. On the contrary, famotidine did not affect the depressor responses to 2-pyridylethylamine and histamine that were antagonized by mepyramine. The histamine dose-response curve was displaced to the right more markedly after simultaneous administration of mepyramine and famotidine than after mepyramine alone. The effects of methacholine, phenylephrine and isoproterenol on blood pressure were not influenced by famotidine in doses up to 720 nmol/kg. In rats, famotidine also caused a parallel displacement of the acid dose-response curve to histamine to the right with a DR3 value of 24 mumols/kg/hr in stomach-perfused rats anesthetized with pentobarbital, exhibiting a potency 108 times greater than that of cimetidine. Analysis of the acid dose-response curve with the Edie-Hofstee transformation showed that famotidine, like cimetidine, was a competitive H2-receptor antagonist.     

Cardiovascular effects of a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist

The effects of methyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-5-(2-oxo- 1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-yl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate (DHP-218), a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, on the cardiovascular system and myocardial oxygen consumption were investigated. Effects on cardiovascular system: In urethane-alpha-chloralose anesthetized dogs, DHP-218 at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg i.v. decreased blood pressure (BP), and at 0.03 mg/kg i.v., long-lasting BP decrease was accompanied by an increase in heart rate (HR), and an increase in blood flow of the coronary, vertebral and internal carotid arteries. No significant changes in myocardial contractile force (MCF) and blood flow of the common carotid and renal arteries were observed. The duration of action was different for various effects. At doses more than 0.05 mg/kg i.d., blood pressure decreased and HR, MCF and the blood flow of coronary and vertebral arteries increased. The effects of nifedipine on the cardiac and regional blood flow were observed at doses more than 0.001 mg/kg i.v. and 1 mg/kg i.d., but the duration of its action was very short compared to those of DHP-218. Effects on cardiohemodynamics: In urethane-alpha-chloralose anesthetized dogs, DHP-218 at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg i.v. produced a decrease in BP and total peripheral resistance (TPR) and an increase in cardiac output (CO). At a dose of 0.03 mg/kg, a decrease in BP and TPR and increases in HR and CO were observed. The duration of action was different for various parameters. No significant changes in dp/dtmax, stroke volume and cardiac work were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of cardiovascular events mediated by platelet activating factor during systemic anaphylaxis.

Previous studies have shown that an anaphylactic reaction in the isolated perfused heart is characterized by drastic coronary constriction, arrhythmias, and severe impairment of contractility. In vivo anaphylaxis is associated with myocardial ischemia and rapid cardiovascular failure. Recently, not only histamine but also platelet activating factor (PAF) has been implicated in cardiac manifestation of anaphylaxis. The present study was designed to separate the effects of PAF from those of histamine on cardiovascular function during systemic anaphylaxis. In guinea pigs, sensitization was produced by subcutaneous (s.c.) application of ovalbumin. Fourteen days after sensitization, the effects of an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of ovalbumin were tested in anesthetized artificially ventilated guinea pigs. The renewed application of the antigen induced severe cardiac dysfunction. Within 3 min, cardiac output (CO) had already decreased by 90% and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increased significantly, indicating left ventricular pump failure. Concurrently, ECG recordings uniformly showed signs of acute myocardial ischemia. In addition, arrhythmias occurred in terms of atrioventricular block. After 4 min, blood pressure (BP) rapidly decreased. All animals died within 10 min. Pretreatment with the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine (1 mg/kg i.v.) in combination with the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine (10 mg/kg i.v.) delayed onset of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias and cardiac pump failure. After 10 min, however, LV contractility and BP steadily decreased, leading to severe hypotension within 30 min. If the selective PAF antagonist WEB 2086 (1 mg/kg i.v.) was administered in addition to cimetidine and mepyramine, myocardial ischemia and LV contractile failure were markedly inhibited further. In contrast, pretreatment with WEB 2086 alone had no beneficial effects on the anaphylactic cardiovascular changes. Therefore, we conclude that histamine is the predominant mediator during the early phase of systemic anaphylaxis whereas PAF-mediated effects are involved in cardiac dysfunction during the protracted late phase of anaphylaxis.     

General pharmacological studies on N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-8-pyrrolizidineacetamide hydrochloride hemihydrate. 3rd communication: effect on cardiovascular system

In this general pharmacological study of N-[2,6-dimethylphenyl)-8-pyrrolizidineacetamide hydrochloride hemihydrate (SUN 1165), its effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems were studied. SUN 1165, at doses of up to 1.0 mg/kg i.v., had almost no effect. SUN 1165, at doses of 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg i.v., caused dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure, common carotid, vertebral, coronary, hepatic and femoral artery and portal vein blood flows, cardiac contractility, heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption. SUN 1165 increased urine volume and urinary excretion of electrolytes in rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. SUN 1165 decreased renal plasma flow and urinary excretion of electrolytes in anesthetized dogs at 6.0 mg/kg i.v., but at the antiarrhythmic doses (1.0-3.0 mg/kg i.v. in dogs), it had almost no effects on renal function. SUN 1165 had almost no effect on the autonomic nervous systems in anesthetized dogs. These results suggest that SUN 1165 at the antiarrhythmic doses do not have any effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, renal function and autonomic nervous systems in rats and dogs, but that when administered at high doses, it has inhibitory effects on respiratory and cardiovascular system and renal function. In conclusion, SUN 1165 seems to be a novel antiarrhythmic drug relatively free of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and autonomic effects.     

General pharmacological actions of traxanox sodium. II. Effects on the cardiovascular system

The effects of traxanox, an anti-allergic drug, on the cardiovascular system were studied in both anesthetized dogs and cats and in isolated heart preparations from guinea-pigs. In anesthetized dogs, a very small dose of traxanox (0.01 mg/kg, i.v.) had no effect, but 0.1--30 mg/kg caused an increase in respiratory rate, hypotension, bradycardia, a transient decrease followed by an increase in renal blood flow, and a decrease in femoral blood flow. These effects were abolished by vagal block, indicating they are mediated via vagal afferents. In contrast, oral administration of traxanox (100 mg/kg) had no effect on the blood pressure or heart rate of anesthetized dogs. In anesthetized cats, traxanox (3 and 30 mg/kg, i.v.) caused a slight increase in blood pressure, but showed no effect on respiratory rate and heart rate. Both traxanox and theophylline (10(-4)M) caused increases in the beat rate of the atria and the contractile force of the papillary muscle in isolated preparations from guinea-pigs, and they potentiated the positive chronotropic and inotropic responses induced by isoproterenol. On the other hand, in anesthetized and vagotomized dogs, traxanox (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v.) affected neither the left ventricular contractile force nor the hypotension and positive inotropic and chronotropic responses produced by isoproterenol. Administration of theophylline alone (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v.) caused hypotension and increases in contractile force and heart rate, but it did not enhance the responses produced by isoproterenol. At doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg (i.v.), traxanox had little effect on either pressor or chronotropic responses to norepinephrine, epinephrine, DMPP and stellate cardiac nerve stimulation. The same doses of traxanox slightly reduced the depressor and chronotropic responses to isoproterenol, acetylcholine and vagus nerve stimulation. These findings suggest that traxanox had no effect on the cardiovascular systems of the animals studied in the dose range (1--5 mg/kg, p.o.) showing anti-allergic activity.     

Cardiovascular safety profile of almotriptan, a new indolic derivative for the treatment of migraine

Almotriptan is a new 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist effective for treating acute migraine attacks with or without aura. As 3-5% of patients treated with sumatriptan experience chest symptoms thought to be of cardiac origin, we investigated the cardiovascular safety profile of almotriptan in comparison with that of sumatriptan in six animal models. Almotriptan did not modify blood pressure or heart rate in conscious telemetered normotensive Wistar rats (p.o.), in anaesthetised beagle dogs (i.v.), or in conscious beagle dogs (i.v.), and only produced transient increases when administered (s.c.) to telemetered cynomolgus monkeys. Almotriptan did not consistently affect the duration of the electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals in anaesthetised beagle dogs even when the drug was administered into the coronary artery, nor was ECG morphology altered in telemetered cynomolgus monkeys. In contrast, sumatriptan i.v. consistently increased mean blood pressure and heart rate in conscious beagle dogs. Finally, almotriptan did not modify coronary blood flow at a dose of up to 0.3 mg/kg i.v. in conscious beagle dogs. Thus, almotriptan has a favourable cardiovascular safety profile.     

Effects of KT-362, a new calcium release blocker, on vascular selectivity and hemodynamic actions in anesthetized dogs

Pharmacological properties of 5-(3-((2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-amino)-1- oxopropyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine fumarate (KT-362), a newly synthesized calcium release blocker, were studied by comparing its vascular selectivity and cardiovascular actions with those of verapamil, a calcium entry blocker. The relaxing effect of KT-362 in rabbit femoral and basilar artery strips contracted with norepinephrine was greater than that in aortic and coronary artery strips. In anesthetized mongrel dogs, KT-362 (0.1-3.0 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased the mean blood pressure, heart rate and total peripheral resistance in a dose-dependent manner, while cardiac output increased slightly despite a decrease in left ventricular pressure. This is consistent with the data on verapamil. Both i.a. and i.v. injections of KT-362 produced a marked dose-dependent increase in vertebral and femoral blood flow. Pretreatment of atropine, propranolol or diphenhydramine exerted no significant effect on the KT-362-induced vasodilation. Verapamil caused a marked increase in the vertebral and coronary blood flows after the injections, but only a slight increase in femoral blood flow. KT-362 at the dose of 10 mg/kg, i.v., had no significant effect on the PQ interval on the electrocardiogram in anesthetized dogs, but 0.1 mg/kg of verapamil increased this interval significantly. These results suggest that KT-362 has properties similar to calcium entry blockers such as verapamil on systemic hemodynamic actions except for the reactivity of vasculatures.     

Comparative effects of R 80122, enoximone, and milrinone on left ventricular phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in vitro and on contractility of normal and stunned myocardium in vivo in dogs.

Using different subtypes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes isolated from canine left ventricle, we identified R 80122, a 1,2,3,5-tetrahydro2-oxoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazoline derivative that was a more selective and potent inhibitor of PDE type III than milrinone or enoximone. Such substances improve cardiac contraction and relaxation, elicit vasodilation, and increase cardiac output (CO). To determine the extent to which these compounds affect the contractile force of stunned myocardium, the effects of enoximone, milrinone, and R 80122 on cardiac function were compared in anesthetized dogs subjected to 15-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion, and treated beginning 30 min after reperfusion, with the compound being studied. During occlusion, all dogs exhibited passive systolic ventricular wall bulging in the ischemic area. Thirty minutes after reperfusion, systolic wall thickening was significantly decreased in the reperfused LAD segments and remained low (at 36% of baseline) in control animals. After enoximone administration, global left ventricular (LV) function was improved with i.v. doses greater than or equal to 0.64 mg/kg. Systolic wall thickening in the ischemic myocardium was restored less than or equal to 70% of baseline at 1.25 mg/kg i.v., but this dose also induced a marked decrease in arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate (HR). Milrinone and R 80122 significantly increased global LV function and systolic wall thickening in ischemic areas at doses greater than or equal to 0.16 mg/kg i.v. At the highest doses, HR increased slightly with both compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardiovascular effects and plasma levels of denopamine (TA-064), a new positive inotropic agent, in chronically instrumented dogs

Cardiovascular effects of denopamine (TA-064), a new positive inotropic agent, in chronically instrumented dogs were investigated following intravenous and oral administration. In the conscious state, denopamine (0.5-4 micrograms/kg/min, i.v. infusion) increased LV dp/dtmax, cardiac output, stroke volume in a dose-dependent manner, and it decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, total peripheral resistance and PQ interval. Denopamine produced an increase in LV dp/dtmax by 90% at a rate of 4 micrograms/kg/min with slightly increasing systemic blood pressure and heart rate. In the same dogs after anesthetizing with pentobarbital, denopamine in the same dose range showed more marked positive inotropic effects and less changes in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance than in conscious dogs. Other cardiovascular effects of denopamine were qualitatively similar to conscious dogs. These effects of denopamine were diminished by treatment with propranolol. Oral administration of denopamine to conscious dogs (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) produced a rise in LV dp/dtmax dose-dependently, and denopamine at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg increased LV dp/dtmax by 66%, this effect lasting for 7 hr. Heart rate and blood pressure were not affected significantly. Effects on other cardiovascular parameters were changed in the same direction as intravenous administration. The increase in LV dp/dtmax corresponded well with the changes in plasma levels of denopamine in conscious dogs by both intravenous and oral administration. Denopamine showed a selective positive inotropic effect in chronically instrumented dogs, and its positive inotropic action was more marked in the myocardium depressed with an anesthetizing dose of pentobarbital than in the conscious state.     

Efficacy of the antidepressant iprindole against experimental arrhythmias

The antiarrhythmic activity of iprindole was compared to that of imipramine in a variety of experimental arrhythmia models. Iprindole at 20 mg/kg i.v. showed efficacy in reverting ouabain- and aconitine-induced arrhythmias in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs, and at 15-30 mg/kg i.v. reduced the severity of the ventricular arrhythmias following acute coronary artery occlusion in anesthetized pigs. Imipramine (5-10 mg/kg i.v.) was also effective in reverting ouabain- and aconitine-induced arrhythmias, but appeared to exacerbate arrhythmias during coronary occlusion. In microelectrode experiments on isolated dog Purkinje fibers, iprindole reduced maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) and action potential duration (characteristics of Class Ib antiarrhythmic agents) at concentrations greater than 1 microgram/ml. Significant decreases in Vmax occurred at lower iprindole concentrations when membrane potential was reduced by increasing external potassium from 4 to 10 mM, suggesting that electrical activity in depolarized cells may be selectively suppressed by iprindole. The present data indicate that iprindole may exert beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, mediated, at least in part, through a Class I mechanism of action.     

SC-36602, a new antiarrhythmic agent: comparison of its cardiovascular profile with that of other antiarrhythmic drugs

The cardiovascular profile of SC-36602, a new class 1A/1B antiarrhythmic agent, was compared to those of disopyramide, lidocaine, mexiletine, flecainide, encainide, lorcainide, and quinidine. These drugs were compared at their respective canine antiarrhythmic doses in a hemodynamic evaluation using anesthetized dogs. In another test using anesthetized dogs, the cardiovascular effects of cumulative doses of SC-36602 were assessed. The direct negative inotropic potential of each drug was also determined using isolated cat papillary muscles. In the hemodynamic study, SC-36602 and quinidine did not cause significant myocardial depression, measured as a decrease in the maximal first derivative of the left ventricular pressure. (Heart rate and diastolic filling pressure were not controlled in order to mimic clinical conditions). SC-36602, mexiletine, flecainide, and quinidine increased heart rate. SC-36602 and mexiletine caused a small increase in mean arterial pressure, whereas disopyramide and quinidine decreased it. Disopyramide was the only drug studied that increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. SC-36602, quinidine, and mexiletine increased index of cardiac effort. Disopyramide caused a decrease in the latter. Disopyramide, flecainide, encainide, and lorcainide lengthened the ECG intervals. Cumulative intravenous doses of SC-36602 up to 50 mg/kg produced significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, increases in heart rate, and increases in P-R and QRS intervals of the ECG relative to placebo-matched controls. SC-36602 had the least direct negative inotropic action of the drugs studied, as measured in isolated papillary muscles. These data suggest SC-36602, when compared to the other antiarrhythmic drugs studied, has the least amount of hemodynamic side-effects at its antiarrhythmic dose.     

右旋布洛芬注射液安全药理学研究

目的 评价右旋布洛芬注射液对动物中枢神经系统、心血管系统及呼吸系统的影响。方法 通过小鼠自主活动试验、运动协调试验和戊巴比妥钠催眠/睡眠试验,考察右旋布洛芬注射液对中枢神经系统的影响;通过对清醒Beagle犬遥测心电图、血压和呼吸指标的检测,考察右旋布洛芬注射液对心血管系统和呼吸系统的影响。结果 右旋布洛芬注射液20、40、80 mg/kg剂量时对小鼠自主活动、爬杆行为均无显著影响,剂量为80 mg/kg时与戊巴比妥钠诱导的小鼠催眠/睡眠具有协同作用;剂量为10、20、40 mg/kg时对Beagle犬中枢神经系统、心血管系统和呼吸系统均没有显著影响。相同剂量条件下,右旋布洛芬注射液与布洛芬注射液比较,不良反应未见增加。结论 右旋布洛芬注射液对自主活动、运动协调能力、心血管系统和呼吸系统没有显著影响,大剂量时与戊巴比妥钠诱导小鼠催眠/睡眠有协同作用。     

Chronic cardiovascular effects of bepridil in anesthetized and conscious dogs

The chronic cardiovascular effects of bepridil were investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs following chronic administration for 2 weeks and in awake instrumented dogs for 5 days. Prolonged administration of bepridil, 10 mg/kg, p.o., twice a day for 14 days produced a significant reduction in heart rate, cardiac output, and left ventricular minute work in dogs anesthetized approximately 12 hr following the last dose of the compound. Bepridil significantly increased coronary blood flow, whereas renal and mesenteric flows were not altered. Myocardial contractility was not significantly altered; however, left ventricular stroke work curves obtained during acute volume loading shifted to the left, indicating enhanced myocardial performance. Oral administration of bepridil twice daily produced a significant reduction in mean arterial blood pressure, a significant decrease in left ventricular stroke work and minute work, and myocardial oxygen consumption in awake animals. In addition, the compound decreased total peripheral resistance (TPR) in awake animals, whereas TPR was increased in anesthetized dogs.     

Pharmacological studies of celiprolol: III. Effects of celiprolol on the cardiovascular system and renal function, and its antiarrhythmic effects

Effects of celiprolol on the cardiovascular system and renal function, and its antiarrhythmic effects were studied. 1. In anesthetized dogs, celiprolol (0.01-3 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently depressed the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure, cardiac output and cardiac work less severely than propranolol and atenolol. 2. Celiprolol (0.01 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased the myocardial oxygen consumption in anesthetized dogs as potently as propranolol. 3. Celiprolol (0.03-3 mg/kg, i.v.) tended to increase femoral blood flow. Celiprolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) increased common carotid blood flow. 4. Celiprolol decreased urine volume and urinary excretion of Na+ and Cl- at doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg and increased the sodium reabsorption rate at a dose of 10 mg/kg in anesthetized dogs, whereas it produced no change in plasma renin activity. 5. Celiprolol inhibited both halothane-adrenaline arrhythmia in dogs and ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rabbits. Its antiarrhythmic effects were 1/10-1/3 as potent as those of propranolol. 6. Celiprolol suppressed the maximum rate of rise of action potential at a concentration of 3 x 10(-4) M, which was 30 times as high as that of propranolol. Celiprolol (3 x 10(-5)-3 x 10(-4) M) dose-dependently shortened the effective refractory period (ERP), but it produced no change in the ratio of ERP to action potential duration. 7. These results suggest that celiprolol may be a useful drug for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and some types of arrhythmia, and that it has only a little influence on renal function.     

The effects of chronic oral cimetidine therapy on the cardiovascular system in man.

1 The demonstration of histamine (H2) receptors in the cardiovascular system in man and the widespread use of the specific H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine for the treatment of peptic ulcer has necessitated assessment of the cardiovascular effects of this drug during oral therapy in man. 2 Consequently, nineteen patients with a history of peptic ulcer but in symptomatic remission underwent a double-blind crossover trial of oral cimetidine v placebo, each treatment period lasting 4 weeks. No significant difference in various cardiac parameters at rest (heart rate, blood pressure, ECG) or following a maximal treadmill exercise test (time-into-protocol, maximum heart rate and blood pressure) was found between the groups. Similarly, cimetidine produced no change in the incidence of ventricular ectopics or in heart rate on 24 h ambulatory monitoring and had no effect on left ventricular volume or contractility as measured by echocardiography. 3 Thus oral administration of cimetidine in a dose of 400 mg four times daily was associated with no demonstrable cardiovascular changes. In addition, since this dose is thought compatible with cardiovascular H2 receptor blockade this study favours the lack of a physiological role for these receptors in man.     

Pharmacological studies of lycorenine, an alkaloid of Lycoris radiata Herb.: II. Effects of blood pressure in rats and dogs and the mechanism of tachyphylaxis to the vasodepressor action of lycorenine in rats

Blood pressure responses to lycorenine were investigated in rats and dogs. Lycorenine (10--40 mg/kg p.o.) produced a decrease in blood pressure in conscious rats which was greater in hypertensive rats than in normotensive rats. In conscious dogs, lycorenine (5 or 10 mg/kg i.v.) produced rises in blood pressure and heart rate except for a few instances, while it produced a decrease in blood pressure in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. Thus, there are species differences in cardiovascular effects of lycorenine between conscious rats and dogs. The development of tachyphylaxis to the vasodepressor actions of lycorenine and its related compounds was related to their alpha-adrenergic blocking activities at the time of the second injection in anesthetized rats. Desipramine which abolished or diminished the development of tachyphylaxis to the vasodepressor action of lycorenine (5 or 7.5 mg/kg i.v.), shortened the duration of its vasodepressor action and reduced its alpha-adrenergic blocking action. These results indicate that the development of tachyphylaxis to the vasodepressor action of lycorenine is ascribed to maintenance of its alpha-adrenergic blocking action.     

The cardiovascular and pharmacokinetic profile of dofetilide in conscious telemetered beagle dogs and cynomolgus monkeys

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effects of dofetilide were studied in monkeys and dogs. Pharmacokinetic data were generated together with the monitoring of cardiovascular changes in order to compare effects relative to human exposure. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Beagle dogs and cynomolgus monkeys were telemetered to collect arterial blood pressure, heart rate and ECG for 6 h after selected oral doses of dofetilide. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each dose. KEY RESULTS: Dogs: increases in the QT(c) interval reached 56 ms in dogs dosed with 0.3 mg kg(-1) of dofetilide. Premature ventricular contractions and right bundle branch block were evident at this dose, without changes in cardiovascular parameters. The mean C(max) values were 3.35 and 60.15 ng mL(-1) at doses of 0.03 and 0.3 mg kg(-1), respectively. Monkeys: increases in QT(c) intervals reached 40-50 ms after 0.03 mg kg(-1). T-wave changes were observed after 0.03 mg kg(-1) without changes in cardiovascular parameters. The mean C(max) values following oral doses of 0.01 and 0.03 mg kg(-1) were 0.919 ng mL(-1) and 1.85 ng mL(-1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Despite dofetilide exposure comparable to that in humans, QT(c) responses in dogs were greater than those reported in humans. A comparable human dose used in the monkey achieved only half of the exposure but was associated with twofold greater increases in QT(c). Our data support the view that safety risk assessments of new drugs in animal models should ensure that the clinical therapeutic range of exposure is achieved and any untoward effects interpreted accordingly.     

Cardiovascular effects of nicardipine in anesthetized open-chest dogs in the absence and presence of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade: a comparison with nifedipine and verapamil

Nicardipine, a new 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium-entry blocker, was assessed for cardiovascular effects against nifedipine and verapamil in anesthetized open-chest beagle dogs, in the absence and presence of beta-adrenoceptor blockade (propranolol 1 mg/kg i.v.). In control conditions, intravenous nicardipine and nifedipine (30 nmol/kg) produced decreases in blood pressure of similar magnitude without evidence of cardiodepression. An equihypotensive dose of verapamil (300 nmol/kg), by contrast, induced long-lasting negative chronotropic and inotropic effects, which, when combined with the effects of propranolol, were so marked as to cause the death of two of five dogs (atrioventricular block). Dihydropyridine derivatives at higher doses (100 nmol/kg) produced different responses: nifedipine depressed cardiac performance significantly more than nicardipine and, in the presence of beta-adrenergic blockade, caused the death of three of six dogs due to cardiovascular failure. In the nicardipine group, on the contrary, cardiac function was adequately preserved even in the presence of beta-blocker, and no animals died. The results of the present study confirm a previous in vitro observation: nicardipine is a calcium-entry blocker devoid of remarkable cardiodepressant effects and particularly selective for the vascular smooth muscle.     

Cardiovascular effects of a new coronary vasodilator N-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinamide nitrate (SG-75): comparison with nitroglycerin and diltiazem

The cardiovascular effects of a newly developed nicotinamide derivative, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinamide nitrate (SG-75), were examined in anesthetized, open-chest or closed-chest dogs and compared with those of nitroglycerin and diltiazem. When administered intra-arterially, SG-75 (0.003-1 mg) increased coronary, renal, mesenteric, and femoral blood flows in a dose-dependent fashion, without affecting systemic blood pressure or cardiac function. The coronary vasodilator response to SG-75 was not influenced by intra-arterial administration of propranolol, atropine, diphenhydramine, or dipyridamole. SG-75 (0.03-1 mg/kg) administered intravenously decreased systemic blood pressure and peripheral (coronary, renal, mesenteric, and femoral) vascular resistance and increased peripheral blood flow in a dose-dependent manner. In doses of 0.03-0.3 mg/kg, this drug did not significantly affect pulse pressure, heart rate, right atrial pressure, aortic blood flow, left ventricular (LV) pressure, LV dP/dt, or myocardial oxygen consumption. The results indicate the SG-75 has desirable characteristics as an antianginal agent.     

Assessment of the acute cardiotoxic potential of sodium nitroprusside infusions in Beagle dogs

Fourteen unanesthetized dogs were infused with nitroprusside for 30 min (10 or 100 μg/kg/min), 3 hr (25 μg/kg/min), or 6 hr (12.5 or 25.0 μg/kg/min) on two consecutive days. Two animals died following the high-dose 6-hr infusion. Minimal left papillary muscle necrosis was detected in one of the four hearts taken from the dogs infused with 12.5 μg/kg/min for 6 hr. In four anesthetized dogs the 12.5- and 25.0-μg/kg/min doses depressed blood pressure by an average of 20–27% and 45–48%, respectively. Both doses increased heart rate approximately 20%. The effect of 60-min nitroprusside infusion of 3.5–28.0 μg/kg/min on a variety of cardiovascular functions was assessed in 10 dogs. The most consistently observed changes were a dose-related decrease in blood pressure (19–50%) and an increase in coronary blood flow (30–300%). In spite of the hypotensive response, only minor changes in heart rate, cardiac output, and ventricular force of contraction occurred. The results indicate that the secondary cardiovascular actions of nitroprusside are not as prominent as with other vasodilators. Consequently nitroprusside appears to possess less acute cardiotoxic potential than other agents such as minoxidil, diazoxide, or hydralazine.