title: Cardioprotective effects of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCI-186), a novel free radical scavenger, on acute autoimmune myocarditis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress may play a role in myocarditis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone or MCI-186), a novel free radical scavenger, protects against acute experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  MCI-186 was administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg/day, 3 mg/kg/day or 10 mg/kg/day) in rats with EAM for three weeks. The results were compared with those from untreated rats with EAM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCI-186 treatment did not affect the hemodynamics of the rats, but did reduce the severity of myocarditis when the heart weight:body weight ratio and the pathological scores were compared. There were significantly fewer myocardial interleukin-1beta-positive cells in rats with EAM treated with MCI-186 (at 3 mg/kg/day and 10 mg/kg/day) than in the untreated rats with EAM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCI-186 ameliorated acute EAM in rats, suggesting that free radicals may be involved in the development of myocarditis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Taka-Aki
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Okabe
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: Miki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nimata
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shioji
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kita