[The use of the perfused rat heart as a model for selecting antihypoxic compounds]

The test system for selection of antihypoxic compounds was developed and approved on the basis of the model of the perfused rat heart. It was found that the hypoxic state of the moderate degree of severity simulated on the myocardium is optimal for the assessment of the studied antihypoxic compounds. Taking into consideration the fact that at the early stages of hypoxia the electron transport is disordered at the level of the first enzymatic complex of the respiration chain, the protective actions of the agents (menadione and hydroquinone) being able of shunting the respiration chain to bypass the damaged area were studied. It was found that under hypoxia these compounds improve the energy-dependent contractile properties of the myocardium, that is, show up the antihypoxic effects.