Reduction of heart lesions after experimental restraint stress: a study in stress-susceptible pigs.
Pigs, crossbreeds of Swedish Landrace and Yorkshire, about 6 months old and susceptible to develop malignant hyperthermia when exposed to halothane, were subjected to a 12-min experimental stress provoked by the myorelaxant succinylcholine. The experimental pigs were pre-treated before the stress: five were given propranolol for one week, six were given alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) combined with selenium for 11 days, and five pigs were pre-treated with zinc (ZnSO4) for 1 month. A total of 12 untreated, stress-susceptible pigs served as controls. The blood levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline recorded during the stress were significantly reduced in the groups pre-treated with propranolol or alpha-tocopherol combined with selenium. The results show significant reduction of myocardial necrosis by beta-adrenoceptor-blocking agents and free-radical scavengers during stress-induced increased sympathetic activity.
Carlsten
J
J
Department of Clinical Radiology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Bjurström
S
S
Häggendal
J
J
Jönsson
L
L
D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
D002395:Catecholamines