Cardiac and hemodynamic effects of S(-)- and (R(+)-DPI 201-106 and of racemic DPI 201-106 in conscious dogs

A sodium channel enhancer, LY341311, increases myocardial contractile performance without increasing heart rate in conscious normal dogs: a comparison with dobutamine

BACKGROUND

Catecholamines and many inotropic agents increase cardiac contractility but also cause excessive myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2). We determined if the novel Na+ channel enhancer LY341311, which increases myocardial contractility independent of beta receptors, can produce significant cardiac inotropic effects compared with dobutamine but at lower oxygen cost in conscious dogs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented for measurement of arterial pressure, left ventricular (LV) pressure and internal diameter, coronary blood flow, and arterial and coronary sinus O2 content. Both LY341311 and dobutamine produced dose-dependent increases in LV dP/dt, dP/dt/40, fractional shortening, and cardiac stroke work and minute work estimated from the LV pressure-diameter loop. The major difference between LY341311 and dobutamine was an opposing effect on heart rate with LY341311 slightly reducing it but dobutamine markedly increasing it. LY341311 caused a significantly smaller increase in MVO2 than dobutamine (P <.05) and produced similar cardiac inotropic effects, yielding a higher cardiac mechanical efficiency than dobutamine. However, after pacing to match heart rate with dobutamine LY341311 increased MVO2 markedly, approaching the same level as with dobutamine.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel Na+ channel enhancer LY341311 caused significant increases in myocardial contractility and contractile performance without increasing heart rate. It had a beneficial energetic effect on the heart with significantly less O2 cost and improved cardiac mechanical efficiency.

Characterization of the inotropic and arrhythmogenic action of the sodium channel activator BDF 9148: a comparison to its S-enantiomer BDF 9196, to its congener DPI 201-106, to norepinephrine, and to ouabain

Positive inotropic substances which enhance the myocardial cAMP level or inhibit the Na+/K(+)-ATPase are known for their proarrhythmic side-effects. This study was performed to investigate the inotropic and arrhythmogenic action of the Na(+)-channel activator BDF 9148 (racemate) in comparison to its S-enantiomer BDF 9196, its congener DPI 201-106 (racemate), to norepinephrine, and to ouabain. In 30 open-chest dogs, the effects of these substances on the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt, Millar-tip catheter) and anterior systolic wall thickening (AWT, sonomicrometry) were studied. Concomitantly, myocardial excitability, conduction times, and refractory period were assessed with a transmural, three-dimensional, 16-electrode array in the anterior wall. For the study of the Na(+)-channel activators, alpha- and beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors were blocked. A first set of measurements was performed during normoperfusion with administration of BDF 9148 (1 mg/kg, n = 8), BDF 9196 (0.5 mg/kg, n = 8), and DPI 201-106 (1 mg/kg, n = 8), respectively. A second set of measurements was performed with administration of the threefold dosage of either substance. With a severe stenosis on the left anterior descending coronary artery, a final set of measurements was performed, again using the higher dosage of either substance. For the study of norepinephrine (0.5 micrograms/kg/min i.v., n = 6) and ouabain (40 micrograms/kg i.v., n = 4), measurements were performed during normoperfusion in additional animals. Under normal conditions, either Na(+)-channel activator induced increases in dP/dtmax (lower dosage: 45-84%, higher dosage: by 93-117%) and AWT (lower dosage: by 24-37%, higher dosage: by 19-56%). Under ischemic conditions, either drug increased dP/dtmax by 60-98% and AWT by 45-102%. Excitability, conduction times, and refractory period did not change significantly in response to the Na(+)-channel activators, neither under normal nor under ischemic conditions. There was no significant difference in the incidence of spontaneous ventricular extrasystoles before and after administration of either Na(+)-channel activator. In contrast, an equi-inotropic dosage of norepinephrine (increases in dP/dtmax by 148% and AWT by 42%) increased excitability, decreased conduction times and refractory period, and increased the incidence of spontaneous ventricular extrasystoles. Ouabain induced only a moderate increase in dP/dtmax by 56% and AWT by 24%, but elicited sustained and complex ventricular arrhythmias. Excitability was markedly increased, whereas conduction times and refractory period changed only little.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inotropic actions of BDF 9148 and DPI 201-106 and their enantiomers in guinea-pig, rat and human atria

The positive inotropic effects of the sodium channel modulators, DPI 201-106 and BDF 9148, were tested in atrial preparations from guinea-pig, rat and man. In rat, the racemate and S enantiomer of both DPI 201-106 and BDF 9148 displayed the same efficacy as did increased extracellular Ca2+, but in guinea-pig and man, the efficacy varied between 60 and 90% of the maximum Ca2+ response. In all three species, BDF 9148 was significantly more potent than DPI 201-106 by approximately one order of magnitude. The same was evident for the S enantiomers. The R enantiomers did not inhibit the effects of the S enantiomers. We have shown pronounced differences in the efficacy and potency of the enantiomers of DPI 201-206 and BDF 9148, which may be useful for future radioligand binding studies.

Compared peripheral vascular responses to intravenous and intra-arterial administrations of positive inotropic agents in conscious dogs

In addition to their direct effects on cardiac contractility, a number of positive inotropic agents also induce, through direct peripheral vasodilation, a reduction in afterload which is of major importance in their beneficial effects in the treatment of congestive heart failure. However, the induced increase in cardiac output can indirectly improve perfusion of peripheral vessels through a flow-mediated mechanism. Thus, the goal of the present study was to compare the direct peripheral vasomotor effects assessed in the iliac vascular bed of four positive inotropic agents: DPI 201-106, ouabain, milrinone and dobutamine, in the presence and absence of simultaneous changes in cardiac function. These drugs were administered either through intravenous or intra-arterial (aorto-iliac catheter) routes in 6 conscious dogs, chronically instrumented for the measurement of heart rate, arterial pressure, left ventricular dP/dt, iliac artery blood flow and iliac artery diameter (sonomicrometry). Intravenous doses were selected as those inducing equipotent positive inotropic responses whereas intra-arterial doses were below those required to induce any significant change in systemic hemodynamics. Ouabain decreased and milrinone increased both iliac blood flow and diameter after either intravenous or intra-arterial administrations. In contrast, iliac blood flow did not change after intra-arterial administration of DPI 201-106 and dobutamine whereas iliac diameter was not modified by DPI 201-106 and even decreased with dobutamine. After intravenous administration, DPI 201-106 but not dobutamine, increased both iliac blood flow and diameter. Thus, this experimental preparation can differentiate inotropic agents with direct vasodilating (milrinone) or constricting (ouabain) properties and those (DPI 201-106 and dobutamine) with indirect vasodilating effects most likely mediated by the improvement in cardiac function.