Hemodynamic profile of KRN2391, a novel vasodilator, in anesthetized dogs

In the present study, we compared the effects of KRN2391 (N-cyano-N'-(2-nitroxyethyl)-3-pyridinecarboximidamide monomethanesulfonate), a novel vasodilator, with those of nicorandil and nifedipine on hemodynamic profiles. KRN2391 (1-30 micrograms), nicorandil (10-300 micrograms), and nifedipine (0.1-3 micrograms) increased coronary, mesenteric, renal and femoral blood flows in a dose-dependent manner when intraarterially administered. KRN2391 was approximately 18 times more potent than nicorandil and about five times less potent than nifedipine in increasing coronary blood flow. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of KRN2391, nicorandil, and nifedipine produced increases in coronary and mesenteric blood flows and decreases in these vascular resistances. Although nicorandil i.v. had no significant effect on renal blood flow (RBF), nifedipine i.v. decreased RBF whereas KRN2391 i.v. increased it. Femoral BF (FBF) decreased only at the highest i.v. dose of KRN2391 and decreased after an initial increase with nicorandil. Nifedipine i.v. had no significant effect on FBF. The effects of these three agents in increasing BF and in decreasing vascular resistance were most prominent in coronary vasculature. The duration of the effect of KRN2391 in increasing coronary BF (CBF) was longer than that of nicorandil but was similar to that of nifedipine. The hypotensive effect of KRN2391 was also weaker than its effect in increasing CBF in comparison with nicorandil and nifedipine. Thus, KRN2391 was demonstrated to possess a preferential activity on coronary vasculature.