Abstract
This study investigated the effect of chronic digitalis glycoside use on β-adrenergic sympathetic activities in heart failure. Twenty-two Japanese white rabbits were anesthetized by intravenous injection of chloral hydrate. Aortic regurgitation (AR) was produced by perforating aortic valves in 14 rabbits. Digoxin was given for 1 week to 7 rabbits with AR (AR + Dig) and saline to 7 rabbits with AR (AR + C). Sham operation was performed in the remaining 8 rabbits (S). The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher in AR + C than S (p < 0.05). It was lower in AR + Dig than AR + C (p < 0.05). Cardiac output was lower in AR + C than S (p < 0.05). There was no difference between AR + Dig and S. Both the left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters were larger in AR + C (p < 0.05) than S, but they were similar between AR + Dig and S. Plasma norepinephrine level was lower in AR + Dig than AR + C. Myocardial β-adrenergic receptors number determined by radioligand binding assay using 30-800 pM 125I-iodocyanopindolol was lower in AR + C than S (28.8 ± 7.9 vs. 69.9 ± 12.3 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). It was higher in AR + Dig (39.9 ± 9.8) than AR + C (p < 0.05). Myocardial norepinephrine content was lower in both AR + C (p < 0.05) and AR + Dig than S (p < 0.05). Thus, digitalis glycosides exert favorable effects on β-adrenergic sympathetic activities in addition to the effects on hemodynamic variables in this animal model of heart failure.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 263-272 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | japanese heart journal |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1997 Jan 1 |
Keywords
- Aortic regurgitation
- Digitalis glycosides
- Heart failure
- Rabbits
- β-adrenergic receptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine