Reduction of heart lesions after experimental restraint stress: a study in stress-susceptible pigs

Pigs, crossbreeds of Swedish Landrace and Yorkshire, about 6 months old and susceptible to develop malignant hyperthermia when exposed to halothane, were subjected to a 12-min experimental stress provoked by the myorelaxant succinylcholine. The experimental pigs were pre-treated before the stress: five were given propranolol for one week, six were given alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) combined with selenium for 11 days, and five pigs were pre-treated with zinc (ZnSO4) for 1 month. A total of 12 untreated, stress-susceptible pigs served as controls. The blood levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline recorded during the stress were significantly reduced in the groups pre-treated with propranolol or alpha-tocopherol combined with selenium. The results show significant reduction of myocardial necrosis by beta-adrenoceptor-blocking agents and free-radical scavengers during stress-induced increased sympathetic activity.