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Lack of correlation between the antiarrhythmic effect of l ‐propionylcarnitine on reoxygenation‐induced arrhythmias and its electrophysiological properties
Author(s) -
Barbieri M.,
Carbonin P.U.,
Cerbai E.,
Gambassi G.,
Giudice P. Lo,
Masini I.,
Mugelli A.,
Pahor M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1991.tb12134.x
Subject(s) - purkinje fibers , electrophysiology , medicine , contractility , creatine kinase , chemistry , endocrinology
1 The antiarrhythmic effect of l ‐propionylcarnitine ( l ‐PC) was evaluated in the guinea‐pig isolated heart; arrhythmias were induced with hypoxia followed by reoxygenation and by digitalis intoxication. 2 l ‐PC 1 μ m , was found to be the minimal but effective antiarrhythmic concentration against reoxygenation‐induced ventricular fibrillation. No antiarrhythmic effect was observed against digitalis‐induced arrhythmias. d ‐Propionylcarnitine, l ‐carnitine and propionic acid did not exert antiarrhythmic effects. 3 During hypoxia and reoxygenation l ‐PC consistently prevented the rise of the diastolic left ventricular pressure, and significantly reduced the release of the cardiac enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). 4 The electrophysiological effects of l ‐PC were then studied on either normal sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres or those manifesting oscillatory afterpotentials induced by barium or strophanthidin. 5 l ‐PC (1 and 10 μ m ) did not significantly modify action potential characteristics and contractility of normal Purkinje fibres, or the amplitude of OAP induced by strophanthidin or barium. 6 It is concluded that the antiarrhythmic action of l ‐PC on reoxygenation‐induced arrhythmias is not correlated with its direct electrophysiological effects studied on normoxic preparations.