Pycnogenol increases the probability of the contraction state in chick embryonic cardiomyocytes, indicating inotropic effects.
The influence of pycnogenol on the probability of contraction was studied in chick cardiomyocytes. Ventricles from 9-11 day chicken embryos were cultured. After 10-11 days in culture, stable spontaneous contractions were recorded and the contraction kinetics analysed. Isoproterenol and pycnogenol increased the probability of the contraction state. After pretreatment with the beta-receptor antagonist, propranolol reduced the isoproterenol- and pycnogenol-increased probability of contraction state. These data suggested that pycnogenol has inotropic effects via stimulation of beta-receptor mediated activity.
Hasegawa
Noboru
N
Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Home Economics, Gifu Women's University, Gifu, Japan. hsgwn@gijodai.ac.jp
Kinoshita
Hiromi
H
Mochizuki
Miyako
M
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024070:pycnogenols; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol