Protective effects of shenmai injection on free radical-induced myocar dial injury in isolated rabbit hearts

AIM: To observe the protective effects of shenmai injection on myocardial injury induced by 1,1-dipheyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH)free radic al in isolated rabbit hearts. METHODS: The isolated rabbit hear ts were perfused in a Langendorff model. Left ventricular pressure (LVP), the fi rst derivative of LVP (+dp/dt max ), left v entricular end-diastolic pressur e (LVEDP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Coronary flow (CF) and the activity of creatine kinase (CK) in coronary effluent were measured by timed collection of coronary effluent. RESULTS: Perfusion with DPPH ( 0.25 μmol·L -1 ) for 10 min caused a significant impairment of cardiac functi on, as shown by a decrease in LVP, +dp/dt ma x and HR and an increase in LV EDP as well as the increased release of CK. After perfusion with DPPH ( 0.25 μmol·L -1 ) for 10 min, treatment with shenmai injection (1320 or 1 160) for 10 min produced a significant improvement of cardiac function and a d ecrease in the release of CK. CONCLUSION: Shenmai injection prot ects against myocardial injury induced by DDPH free radical in isolated rabbit h earts.