Background: The role of AT1 receptors in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is unclear. We, therefore, investigated the effects of the AT1 receptor antagonist irbesartan (Irb) in isolated hearts of selective myocardial AT1 overexpressing transgenic [transgenic(alphaMHC-hAT1)594-17] and Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Methods and results: Hearts of 4-week-old male SD or transgenic rats were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer with or without 10 microM Irb in Langendorff mode. After 15 min of stabilization, pressure-volume curves were obtained and the hearts subjected to 20 min ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. A second set of pressure-volume curves was obtained thereafter. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), total coronary flow (CF) and oxygen consumption (MVO2) were recorded continuously. Myocardial efficiency was derived from the slope of relations of MVO2 to pressure/volume area. After 20 min ischemia, LVEDP was significantly higher in transgenic than in SD (35.7+/-1.8 vs. 29.2+/-1.0 mmHg, P<0.05) or Irb treated transgenic hearts (24.3+/-1.6 mmHg, P<0.05). Myocardial efficiency was increased by Irb before ischemia. Ischemia increased efficiency in SD but not in transgenic rats, Irb increased efficiency in transgenic hearts post-ischemia.
Conclusion: Transgenic hearts developed ischemic contracture more rapidly than SD hearts as indicated by higher LVEDP during ischemia. This response was antagonized by Irb, indicating a role of AT1 receptors in ischemic contracture, AT1-receptors also appear to be involved in the control of myocardial efficiency.