Anti-arrhythmic and cardio-protective effects of atorvastatin and a potent pyridoindole derivative on isolated hearts from rats with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Aims of this study were to investigate the anti-arrhythmic and cardio-protective effect of atorvastatin and of a new pyridoindole derivative (SMe1EC2) on isolated and perfused hearts while following the Langendorff principles. BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a widely distributed condition progressing to cardiovascular disease. Many of the metabolic syndrome patients take (HMG)-co-enzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors with potential cardioprotective effects. SMe1EC2 is a promising new drug, exerting many positive effects in experimental settings. METHODS: Rats with induced metabolic syndrome were treated with atorvastatin (25 mg/kg) and SMe1EC2 (25 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively) daily for 3 weeks. After the treatment, the hearts were isolated and perfused according to Langendorff. RESULTS: Both atorvastatin and SMe1EC2 improved cardiac function by elevating the left ventricular developed pressure (VLDP) and cardiac contractility. Both SMe1EC2-treated groups improved LVDP during reperfusion, signifi cantly increased. dP/dt, and moderately elevated + dP/dt values. The treatment with both atorvastatin and SMe1EC2 (25 mg/kg) signifi cantly reduced malignant arrhythmia in comparison to control group and group treated with SMe1EC2 0.5 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to its anti-arrhythmic and cardio-protective effects, atorvastatin and SMe1EC2 could be of benefi t to patients suffering from metabolic syndrome (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 41).