Cardiometabolic efficacy and toxicological evaluation of a pharmacological galanin receptor agonist

The goal of this study was to examine effects of a novel galanin receptor agonist GalR1-3 [bAla14, His15]-galanine 2-15 (G), obtained by automatic solid-phase synthesis, on the metabolic state of the area at risk and the size of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in rats in vivo and evaluate its toxicity in BALB /c mice. In anesthetized rats, regional ischemia was simulated by coronary artery occlusion and then coronary blood flow was restored. The peptide G was administered intravenously (i.v.) with a bolus after a period of regional ischemia in the dose range of 0.25-3.0 mg/kg. The sizes of MI and the activities of creatine kinase-MB (СK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood plasma were estimated. The effect of administration of the optimal dose of G (1.0 mg/kg) on myocardial content of adenine nucleotides (AN), phosphocreatine (PCr), creatine (Cr) and lactate was studied. I.v. administration of G to rats at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg slightly affected hemodynamic parameters, but reduced MI size by 40% and decreased plasma LDH and CK-MB activity by the end of reperfusion compared to control. These effects were accompanied by a significant improvement in energy state of area at risk (AAR) – an increase in myocardial content of ATP, åAN, PCr and åCr, and combined with a decrease in myocardial lactate level compared with the control. Toxicity of peptide G was studied with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5-3.0% solution of the peptide substance to mice. The absence of signs of intoxication and death of animals after G injection in the maximum possible dose did not allow determining the value of the average lethal dose. The results indicate therapeutic potential of the peptide G for preventing myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury and feasibility for further study of its pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action.