The effects of calcium dobesilate on the mechanical function of rat hearts

Calcium dobesilate is an angio-protective agent that has positive effects on hemorheological parameters. It decreases blood and plasma viscosity, thrombocyte aggregation, and microvascular hyperpermeability. It is an antioxidant that increases endothelial-derived vasodilator substance secretion. In this experimental study, the effects of calcium dobesilate on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury were investigated.

Using the Langendorff setup, 24 adult Wistar albino rat hearts were perfused. MeanP (mean pressure perfusing the coronary arteries), PSP (maximum left ventricle pressure), +dp/dt(max) (change in contraction power over time), -dp/dt(max) (change in relaxing power over time), PP (peak systolic pressure-minimum balloon pressure) and bpm (number of heart beats per minute) were evaluated. The control group (N.=6) was perfused with Tyrode solution alone. The other three groups (N.=6 for each group) were perfused with the Tyrode solution and calcium dobesilate either before ischemia, during the ischemia reperfusion period, or during the reperfusion-only period.

The meanP values were significantly higher in groups perfused by calcium dobesilate. For other parameters, calcium dobesilate did not demonstrate a positive effect.

This study showed that calcium dobesilate may have cardio-protective effects in isolated, perfused rat hearts. In hearts perfused by calcium dobesilate, the increase in mean P may be explained by the increase in endothelium-derived vasodilator substances. Further studies are needed to better characterize the myocardial protective effects of calcium dobesilate.