Propranolol reduces cardiomyopathic injury induced by magnesium deficiency.
We have previously established a link between magnesium-deficiency-induced cardiomyopathy and free radical injury. In the present study, golden Syrian male hamsters were placed on either magnesium-deficient or magnesium-supplemented diets. Animals from each group received either d,l-propranolol or d-propranolol (the non-beta-blocking form). After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and their hearts isolated for morphological and morphometric analyses. Hematoxylin/eosin-stained sections were examined by a computer image analysis system for a morphometric determination of the severity of myocardial injury. Propranolol reduced both the density of lesions, from 0.32 to 0.06 lesions/mm2 (p < 0.01), and the area fraction of lesions, from 9.8 x 10(-4) to 2.5 x 10(-4) lesion area/mm2 (p < 0.01). In addition, d-propranolol was virtually equipotent to d,l-propranolol, indicating that part of the protective effect of propranolol, in this model, was attributable to its antioxidant properties.
Freedman
A M
AM
Department of Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Cassidy
M M
MM
Weglicki
W B
WB
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011433:Propranolol