KB-R7943对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注的后适应保护作用

目的研究钠钙交换抑制剂KB-R7943对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注损伤的后适应保护作用,探索给药的最佳时机。方法大鼠麻醉后,取心脏,置Langendorff灌流装置上以台氏液灌流,结扎冠状动脉左前降支制备大鼠离体心脏缺血(30min)/再灌注(120min)模型,监测心功能,测定心肌梗死面积。结果KB-R79431μmol·L-1于再灌注开始前1min至再灌注14min给药可改善心功能各项指标,心肌梗死面积较对照组缩小约77%(P<0·01),与钠氢交换抑制剂cariporide 1μmol·L-1及其与KB-R7943联合于再灌注早期给药产生的心肌保护作用差异无显著性。同浓度KB-R7943于再灌注全程灌流也具有一定的心肌保护作用,再灌注后期给药则对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤无保护作用。结论KB-R7943对大鼠离体心脏缺血/再灌注损伤具有药理性后适应保护作用,最佳给药时机为再灌注早期用药。     

尼可地尔对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌梗死的影响

目的 观察不同剂量尼可地尔对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌梗死的影响.方法 Wistar大鼠100只,随机分为五组:尼可地尔低剂量组、尼可地尔中剂量组、尼可地尔高剂量组、假手术组和对照组.麻醉大鼠,结扎左冠状动脉前降支60 min,再灌注60 min,从心肌梗死面积(MIS),血清酶学,丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的变化观察尼可地尔的抗心肌缺血再灌注损伤作用.结果 与对照组比较,尼可地尔中高剂量组可降低心肌梗死面积,降低血清肌酸磷酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,提高心肌SOD活性,减少心肌MDA含量(P＜0.01).结论 在一定剂量范围内,尼可地尔可降低心肌梗死面积,对急性缺血心肌有保护作用.     

参麦注射液对正常及缺血再灌注离体豚鼠心脏的影响

目的观察参麦注射液(SM)对正常及缺血再灌注离体豚鼠心脏的影响。方法采用正常Langendorff灌流及缺血再灌注离体豚鼠心脏模型,观察SM对冠脉流量的影响,测定冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性及心肌组织丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性。结果SM可显著提高正常及缺血-再灌注离体豚鼠心脏的冠脉流量,减少缺血-再灌注后LDH的漏出总量,降低缺血再灌后心肌组织MDA的含量,升高SOD的活性。结论SM可增加正常及缺血-再灌离体豚鼠心脏冠脉流量,减轻缺血-再灌引起的心肌损伤。     

黄芩苷对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的研究黄芩苷对大鼠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用. 方法结扎大鼠左冠脉前降支40 min 再灌注120 min ,观察黄芩苷对心肌梗死后大鼠心功能、心肌梗死面积和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性等的影响.结果结扎冠脉前5 min给黄芩苷10～40 mgkg-1能改善心肌梗死后大鼠的心功能、减少心肌梗死面积(9%～30%),并能减少梗死后心肌MDA含量、提高梗死后心肌SOD、 LDH的活性. 结论黄芩苷对大鼠缺血再灌注的心肌损伤有保护作用.     

黄芩苷对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的　研究黄芩苷对大鼠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法　结扎大鼠左冠脉前降支 4 0min再灌注 12 0min ,观察黄芩苷对心肌梗死后大鼠心功能、心肌梗死面积和乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)活性、丙二醛 (MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性等的影响。结果　结扎冠脉前 5min给黄芩苷10～ 4 0mg·kg-1能改善心肌梗死后大鼠的心功能、减少心肌梗死面积 (9%～ 30 % ) ,并能减少梗死后心肌MDA含量、提高梗死后心肌SOD、LDH的活性。结论　黄芩苷对大鼠缺血再灌注的心肌损伤有保护作用     

胆碱对离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的观察胆碱对离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响。方法采用Langendorff灌注系统,建立离体大鼠全心缺血/再灌注损伤模型。观察胆碱对复灌后冠脉流量、心肌组织丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和心肌梗死面积的影响。结果胆碱可明显增加缺血/再灌注后1、5、10min的冠脉流量,减少心肌组织MDA含量、提高SOD活性,缩小心肌梗死面积,与模型组比较差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。上述作用可部分的被选择性M3受体阻断剂4-di-phenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine-methiodide(4-DAMP)所逆转。结论胆碱对离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

内源性硫化氢参与缺血后处理减轻离体大鼠心脏缺血/再灌注损伤

目的探讨内源性硫化氢是否参与缺血后处理减轻大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤。方法Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠离体心脏Langendorff灌流,平衡20min,全心缺血30min,复氧灌注60min,在复灌即刻给与短暂停灌15s/复灌15 s循环4次造成心肌缺血后处理模型。预先给予胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶(cystanthionine-γ-lysase,CSE)抑制剂炔丙基甘氨酸(L-propargylglycine,PAG),以及给予PAG后加用外源性硫化氢供体NaHS后处理,观察它们对缺血后处理的影响。记录心率(HR)、左室发展压(LVDP)、冠脉流出量(CF);检测灌流液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、心肌组织CSE活性、硫化氢的含量以及心肌梗死面积。结果缺血/再灌注组LVDP下降、冠脉灌流液中LDH活性明显增加、心肌梗死面积增加(vsControl组,P<0.05)。缺血后处理组LVDP升高、冠脉灌流液中LDH活性下降、心肌梗死面积缩小(vsIR组,P<0.05)。PAG加缺血后处理组心肌CSE活性及H2S生成下降、并且逆转了缺血后处理的作用,而外源性硫化氢供体NaHS后处理组H2S生成回升、LVDP升高、心肌梗死面积缩小(vsIR组,P<0.05)。结论内源性硫化氢参与大鼠心肌缺血后处理减轻缺血/再灌注损伤。     

咖啡酸苯乙酯对大鼠离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注的保护作用北大核心CSCD

目的建立大鼠离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注模型,初步探讨咖啡酸苯乙酯对离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法雄性SD大鼠30只,取心脏Langendorff法离体灌流,实验分5组:空白组:KH(Krebs-Henseleit)液连续灌流100 min;模型组:KH液稳灌30 min后停灌30 min,再灌注KH液40 min;给药组:KH液稳灌30 min后,停灌30 min,再灌注3、6和12 mg/L CAPE的KH液40min。实验中观察各组大鼠离体心脏的冠脉流量、心肌收缩力及心率的变化。停灌后测其各组心肌组织的丙二醛(MDA)、蛋白羰基化(PCO)的含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果心脏缺血再灌注期间,模型组收缩力减弱,张力增加,心率减慢,冠脉流量明显减少,出现心律失常;给药组在再灌注后收缩力增强,张力降低,心率增快,冠脉流量明显增加,节律整齐。停灌后模型组MDA、PCO含量明显升高,SOD含量降低,而给药组MDA、PCO的含量较模型组减少(P<0.01),且减少SOD含量的降低(P<0.01)。说明缺血再灌注能够增加心脏的氧化应激,诱导氧化损伤,CAPE保护可以减少氧化损伤,且呈剂量依赖性。结论咖啡酸苯乙酯对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用有关。     

咖啡酸苯乙酯对大鼠离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注的保护作用

目的建立大鼠离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注模型,初步探讨咖啡酸苯乙酯对离体心脏心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法雄性SD大鼠30只,取心脏Langendorff法离体灌流,实验分5组:空白组:KH(Krebs-Henseleit)液连续灌流100 min;模型组:KH液稳灌30 min后停灌30 min,再灌注KH液40 min;给药组:KH液稳灌30 min后,停灌30 min,再灌注3、6和12 mg/L CAPE的KH液40min。实验中观察各组大鼠离体心脏的冠脉流量、心肌收缩力及心率的变化。停灌后测其各组心肌组织的丙二醛(MDA)、蛋白羰基化(PCO)的含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果心脏缺血再灌注期间,模型组收缩力减弱,张力增加,心率减慢,冠脉流量明显减少,出现心律失常;给药组在再灌注后收缩力增强,张力降低,心率增快,冠脉流量明显增加,节律整齐。停灌后模型组MDA、PCO含量明显升高,SOD含量降低,而给药组MDA、PCO的含量较模型组减少(P0.01),且减少SOD含量的降低(P0.01)。说明缺血再灌注能够增加心脏的氧化应激,诱导氧化损伤,CAPE保护可以减少氧化损伤,且呈剂量依赖性。结论咖啡酸苯乙酯对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用有关。     

精胺预处理对离体灌流大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤及细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨精胺预处理对离体灌流大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响及其可能的抗凋亡作用。方法应用Langehdorff离体灌流大鼠心脏复制模拟心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型。24只大鼠随机分为3组,每组8只:对照组(Con-trol)、缺血/再灌注组(IR)、精胺干预组(Spermine)。比色法测定冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力,心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及心肌丙二醛(MDA)含量;多导生理记录系统记录心脏功能;HE染色光镜下观察心肌形态学变化;三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色检测心肌梗死面积;透射电镜和TUNEL方法检测细胞凋亡;免疫组化检测心肌Fas与Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果 (1)与对照组比,IR组冠脉LDH漏出明显增多、心肌组织中MDA水平增加、SOD活性降低(P<0.01);心功能明显下降(LVDP,HR,CF均低于对照组,P<0.05);光镜下可见心肌细胞呈凝固性或带状坏死。与Control组比,IR组心肌梗死面积及心肌细胞凋亡率明显增加(P<0.01);心肌Fas蛋白表达上调,Bcl-2蛋白表达下调。透射电镜下心肌细胞核染色质浓缩、凝聚且边集,染色质在核膜周边聚集形成新月形,线粒体嵴排列紊乱。(2)与IR组比,Spermine组冠脉LDH漏出减少,心肌组织中MDA减少,SOD增加(P<0.01);心功能有明显改善(LVDP,HR,CF均明显高于IR组,P<0.05);光镜下心肌细胞结构清晰。Spermine组与IR组比心肌梗死面积及心肌细胞凋亡率均明显降低(P<0.01);心肌Fas蛋白表达下调,Bcl-2蛋白表达上调;电镜下可见心肌肌节结构清晰,线粒体嵴完整、基质致密,未见核染色质凝聚。结论外源性精胺能明显减轻离体灌流大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤,其机制可能与精胺抑制细胞凋亡有关。     

Protective effects of SEA0400, a novel and selective inhibitor of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger,on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuries

The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) is involved in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuries. We examined the effects of 2-[4-[(2,5-difluorophenyl)methoxy]phenoxy]-5-ethoxyaniline (SEA0400), a potent and selective inhibitor of NCX, on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury models. In canine cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles and rat cardiomyocytes, SEA0400 potently inhibited the Na(+)-dependent 45Ca(2+) uptake with an IC(50) value of 90 and 92 nM, compared with 2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]isothiourea (KB-R7943, 7.0 and 9.5 microM), respectively. In rat cardiomyocytes, SEA0400 (1 and 3 microM) attenuated the Ca(2+) paradox-induced cell death. In isolated rat Langendorff hearts, SEA0400 (0.3 and 1 microM) improved the cardiac dysfunction induced by low-pressure perfusion followed by normal perfusion. In anesthetized rats, SEA0400 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and mortality induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion. These results suggest that SEA0400 is a most potent NCX inhibitor in the heart and that it has protective effects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuries.     

The plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor KB-R7943 is also a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The thiourea derivative KB-R7943, originally developed as inhibitor of the plasma membrane Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, has been shown to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We have studied here its effects on mitochondrial Ca(2+) fluxes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: [Ca(2+)] in cytosol, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored using both luminescent (targeted aequorins) and fluorescent (fura-2, tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester) probes in HeLa cells. KEY RESULTS: KB-R7943 was also a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter (MCU). In permeabilized HeLa cells, KB-R7943 inhibited mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake with a Ki of 5.5+/-1.3 microM (mean+/-S.D.). In intact cells, 10 microM KB-R7943 reduced by 80% the mitochondrial [Ca(2+)] peak induced by histamine. KB-R7943 did not modify the mitochondrial membrane potential and had no effect on the mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. KB-R7943 inhibited histamine-induced ER-Ca(2+) release in intact cells, but not in cells loaded with a Ca(2+)-chelator to damp cytosolic [Ca(2+)] changes. Therefore, inhibition of ER-Ca(2+)-release by KB-R7943 was probably due to the increased feedback Ca(2+)-inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors after MCU block. This mechanism also explains why KB-R7943 reversibly blocked histamine-induced cytosolic [Ca(2+)] oscillations in the same range of concentrations required to inhibit MCU. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Inhibition of MCU by KB-R7943 may contribute to its cardioprotective activity by preventing mitochondrial Ca(2+)-overload during ischemia-reperfusion. In addition, the effects of KB-R7943 on Ca(2+) homeostasis provide new evidence for the role of mitochondria modulating Ca(2+)-release and regenerative Ca(2+)-oscillations. Search for permeable and selective MCU inhibitors may yield useful pharmacological tools in the future.     

Blockade of NMDA channels in acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons by the Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor KB-R7943.

Neurons acutely isolated from the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices using the 'vibrodissociation' method were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The currents through NMDA channels were elicited by application of 100 microM aspartate (ASP) in a Mg2+-free solution in the presence of 3 microM glycine. The compound KB-R7943, (2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulfonate) known as a Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor was able to block effectively the NMDA channels. At a holding potential of -100 mV, the measurement of the concentration dependence of the stationary current blockade revealed the existence of two populations of NMDA channels differing by a high (IC50 = 0.8 microM) and low (IC50 = 11 microM) affinity for KB-R7943. The Hill coefficients indicated that one blocking molecule can bind to NMDA channels which have a high affinity for KB-R7943 and at least two blocking molecules can bind to the NMDA channels which have a low affinity for KB-R7943. When applied externally, KB-R7943 can bind to the low-affinity NMDA channels irrespective of whether or not these channels are activated by the agonist. The KB-R7943-induced blockade of the NMDA channel was partly voltage-dependent. Within the framework of the Woodhull model, the apparent value of delta calculated for the voltage-dependent binding of KB-R7943 was in the range of 0.26-0.41. The blocking action of KB-R7943 on NMDA channels did not depend either on ASP or glycine concentrations which indicated that the binding sites for KB-R7943 and those for the agonist and the coagonist did not overlap.     

1-（2，6-二甲基苯氧基）-2-（3，4-二甲氧基苯乙氨基）丙烷盐酸盐对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

研究1-（2,6-二甲基苯氧基）-2-（3,4-二甲氧基苯乙氨基）丙烷盐酸盐（DDPH）对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：采用Langendorff大鼠离体心脏灌流技术,结扎冠状动脉前降支（LAD）40min,复灌120min后复制出大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤模型,观察DDPH对大鼠离体心脏左心室功能、心肌梗死范围、脂质过氧化及超微结构损伤的影响。结果：DDPH能显著改善大鼠离体心脏左心室功能,明显缩小心肌梗死范围,能显著提高大鼠心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—Px）活性,降低心肌脂质过氧化代谢产物丙二醛（MDA）含量,减少心肌超微结构损伤。结论：DDPH对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,其作用机制可能与抑制氧自由基的生成和脂质过氧化作用有关。     

The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger inhibitor KB-R7943 activates large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells

The effect of the selective inhibitor of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX), KB-R7943, on large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels was examined in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and freshly isolated mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MASMCs). In voltage-clamped cells, KB-R7943 reversibly activated BK(Ca) currents in HUVECs and MASMCs. The EC(50) of KB-R7943 for BK(Ca) current activation in HUVECs was determined to be 6.78+/-0.7 microM. In inside-out and outside-out patches, KB-R7943 markedly increased BK(Ca) channel activity and slightly decreased single channel current amplitudes. In inside-out patches, KB-R7943 shifted the relationship between [Ca(2+)](i) and open probability (P(o)) to the left; the [Ca(2+)](i) required to evoke half-maximal activation changed from 1220+/-68 nM (in the absence of KB-R7943) to 620+/-199 nM (in the presence of 10 microM KB-R7943). In addition, KB-R7943 shifted the relationship between membrane potential and P(o) to the left; the membrane potential to evoke half-maximal activation changed from 76.86+/-1.09 mV (in the absence of KB-R7943) to 49.62+/-2.55 mV (in the presence of 10 microM KB-R7943). In conclusion, KB-R7943 was found to act as a potent BK(Ca) channel activator, which increases the sensitivity of BK(Ca) channels to cytosolic free Ca(2+) and membrane potential, and thereby BK(Ca) channel activity. These results should be considered when KB-R7943 is used as NCX blocker.     

A Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor, KB-R7943, caused negative inotropic responses and negative followed by positive chronotropic responses in isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations

Effects of a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor, KB-R7943 (2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl] isothiourea methanesulfonate), on the sinoatrial nodal pacemaker activity, atrial contractility and ventricular contractility were investigated in the isolated and blood-perfused right atrium and left ventricle of the dog. KB-R7943 (0.03- 3 micromol) induced negative inotropic effects and negative followed by positive chronotropic effects in the right atrium and negative inotropic effects in the left ventricle. Neither atropine nor hexamethonium affected the cardiac responses to KB-R7943. Propranolol attenuated the positive chronotropic response to KB-R7943 but imipramine did not. Tetrodotoxin potentiated the positive chronotropic response to KB-R7943 in 6 of 11 isolated atria. When NaCl infusion increased atrial contractile force and atrial rate, KB-R7943-induced negative inotropic and chronotropic responses were attenuated in a dose-dependent manner. CaCl2 infusion potentiated the negative chronotropic response to KB-R7943 but did not affect the inotropic response significantly. On the other hand, ouabain (17 nmol) attenuated the negative inotropic response, but not chronotropic response, to KB-R7943. These results suggest that KB-R7943-induced cardiac effects relate to the Na+ activity, probably mediated through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger modifies the pacemaker activity and myocardial contractility in the dog heart.     

左旋卡尼汀对大鼠心脏缺血-再灌注损伤能量代谢的影响

目的：观察左旋卡尼汀对离体大鼠心脏缺血-再灌注损伤的作用及对心肌细胞能量代谢的影响。方法：将制备成功的Langendorff离体心脏模型随机分成3组（各8只）。正常对照组（CON组）：K—H液灌注65min；左旋卡尼汀组（L—CAR组）：离体心脏用K—H液平衡15min后，K—H液中加入5mmol／L左旋卡尼汀继续灌注20min．然后全心停灌20min，再用相同的液体复灌30min；心肌缺血-再灌注组（MIRI组）：整个实验过程同L—CAR组．但灌注液中不含左旋卡尼汀。比色法测定冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）含量，高效液相色谱法测定再灌注末心肌组织中腺苷酸的含量。结果：缺血前各组LDH活性差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），再灌注末L—CAR组LDH含量明显低于MIRI组（P〈0．01），而心肌组织ATP、ADP、总腺苷酸水平及能荷则高于该组（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。结论：左旋卡尼汀对缺血-再灌注心肌有保护作用，其保护机制与改善心肌能量代谢有关。     

Nicorandil preserves mitochondrial function during ischemia in perfused rat heart

A possible mechanism for the action of nicorandil on the improvement of energy metabolism of ischemic/reperfused hearts was examined. Perfused rat hearts were subjected to 35-min ischemia/60-min reperfusion. The heart was treated with nicorandil at concentrations of 10 to 100 microM for the last 30-min of pre-ischemia. Nicorandil preserved the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate during ischemia and attenuated the decrease in mitochondrial function during reperfusion in association with the enhanced post-ischemic recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure. To assess the direct effect on mitochondria, myocardial saponin-skinned bundles were incubated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Hypoxia-induced decrease in the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate was attenuated by treatment of the bundles with 100 microM nicorandil. This attenuation was abolished by the combined treatment with the K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). These results suggest that nicorandil is capable of attenuating ischemia/reperfusion injury of isolated perfused hearts through preservation of mitochondrial function during ischemia.     

Nicorandil improves postischemic contractile function independently of direct myocardial effects.

We determined whether any of the antiischemic effects of nicorandil were due to direct cardioprotective effects such as potassium channel activation or to its peripheral hemodynamic effects. Nicorandil was administered either intravenously (i.v.) or directly into the ischemic coronary artery (i.c.) and compared with i.c. cromakalim (a potassium channel activator previously shown to improve reperfusion function directly in rat hearts) or vehicle for their ability to improve postischemic contractile function as measured by ultrasonic crystals in anesthetized dogs or in isolated perfused rat hearts. In a model of 25-min global ischemia and reperfusion in isolated perfused rat hearts, nicorandil (10-100 microM) did not improve reperfusion function or decrease LDH release, although 300 microM nicorandil did protect the hearts. Cromakalim (7 microM) significantly improved reperfusion function and reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In the dog studies, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 15 min and was reperfused for 3 h. Nicorandil improved reperfusion function only when administered i.v., although i.c. cromakalim was efficacious in improving function. Neither nicorandil nor cromakalim improved collateral flow, although cromakalim significantly improved preischemic and reperfusion blood flows, particularly in the subepicardial region. Although i.c. treatment with cromakalim and nicorandil did not result in significant changes in peripheral hemodynamic status, i.v. nicorandil reduced both preload and afterload. Thus, at the dose used, nicorandil does not appear to have direct myocardial protective effects and the beneficial effects of nicorandil do not appear to be related to potassium channel activation in the myocardium. Potassium channel activation by cromakalim does result in direct cardioprotective effects whereas nicorandil appears to be dependent on peripheral actions for its efficacy.