[Effect of large doses of nicotinic acid on certain metabolic processes and contractile function of an intact heart]

Peroral administration of nicotinic acid to rabbits in amounts of 500 mg, twice a day for 7 days was attended by a reduced contractility of the myocardium, an increased content of catecholamines in the heart and deranged lipids metabolism in the heart muscle. It is assumed that the contractility of the heart is largely determined by the state of the lipids metabolism and their utilization in the generation of energy.