title: Effects of the AT1 receptor blocker candesartan on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to investigate the effects of the angiotension II receptor blocker candesartan on ischemia-reperfusion injury using a cardioplegia arrested isolated rat heart model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in isolated rat hearts with 40 minutes of global ischemia followed by a 30-minute reperfusion protocol. Throughout the experiment, constant pressure perfusion was achieved using a Langendorff apparatus. Cardioplegic solution alone, and in combination with candesartan, was administered before ischemia and 20 minutes after ischemia. Post-ischemic recovery of contractile function, left ventricular developed pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and contraction and relaxation rates were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, left ventricular developed pressure, rate pressure product, contraction and relaxation rates and coronary flow significantly decreased but coronary resistance increased following reperfusion. With the administration of candesartan alone, parameters did not differ compared to controls. Contractile parameters improved in the group that received candesartan in combination with the cardioplegia compared to the group that received cardioplegia alone; however, the difference between these two groups was insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, the addition of candesartan to a cardioplegic arrest protocol routinely performed during cardiac surgery did not provide a significant advantage in protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury compared with the administration of cardioplegic solution alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkey Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: C Murat
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Songur
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Merve Ozenen
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Songur
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkey Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sinan Sabit
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kocabeyoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Near East University, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilgen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basgut
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; C081643:candesartan