The Beneficial Effects of Ivabradine Aganist Myocardial Damage induced by Isoproterenol in Rats

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the potential benefits of two doses of ivabradine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Control (n=8); Saline was administered, Isoproterenol (ISO) (n=12); 150 mg/kg ISO was administered for 2 days, ISO+Low-dose IVA (ISO+LIVA) (n=12); 1 mg/kg IVA was administered for 4 days in addition to ISO. ISO+High-dose IVA (ISO+HIVA) group (n=12): 10 mg/kg IVA was administered for 4 days in addition to ISO. Thereafter, hemodynamic, histopathological, and biochemical studies were performed. Results: In the ISO+LIVA and ISO+HIVA groups, ISO-induced myocardial changes including increase in density of granulation tissue and degenerated cardiomyocyte were equally decreased. HR was mildly reduced and arterial blood pressures were slightly increased in the IVA-treated groups versus the ISO group. In the hearts of IVA-treated groups, malondialdehyde level was significantly reduced and Glutathione (GSH) level and catalase (CAT) activity were mildly increased compared to the ISO group. Elevation of GSH and CAT activity were more pronounced in ISO+HIVA group. Conclusion: Our results indicate that both 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses of IVA were effective against heart damage induced by ISO via its negative chronotropic, anti-oxidant (dose dependent), anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative properties.