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Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on mechanical function of isolated rabbit heart

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy volume 5, pages 17–23 (1991)Cite this article

Summary

We studied the acute and chronic effects of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) on mechanical function of isolated rabbit heart. Propionyl-L-carnitine was either directly delivered in the perfusate (10-9 to 10-3 M) or intraperitoneally injected (250 mg/kg) for 10 days to the animals. When added acutely, propionyl-L-carnitine had no effect on inotropism, heart rate, or coronary perfusion pressure. When added chronically, propionyl-L-carnitine induced a positive inotropic effect, with no changes in heart rate or in coronary perfusion pressure, and it ameliorated the pressure-volume relationship. This effect of propionyl-L-carnitine was independent of the calcium concentration of the perfusion medium, but it was correlated with an increase in the myocardial content of propionyl-L-carnitine. The effect was not apparent after 5 days of treatment, although the tissue content of propionyl-L-carnitine remained unchanged. These data suggest that propionyl-L-carnitine, when given chronically, exerts a positive inotropic effect.

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Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Cardiologia, Universitá degli Studi di Brescia, Italy

    R. Ferrari, E. Pasini, E. Condorelli, A. Boraso & O. Visiou

  2. Laboratori di Farmacologia e Farmacocinetica Real S.p.A., Milano, Italy

    R. Lisciani & A. Marzo

Authors
  1. R. Ferrari
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  2. E. Pasini
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  3. E. Condorelli
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  4. A. Boraso
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  5. R. Lisciani
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  6. A. Marzo
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  7. O. Visiou
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Ferrari, R., Pasini, E., Condorelli, E. et al. Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on mechanical function of isolated rabbit heart. Cardiovasc Drug Ther 5, 17–23 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128239

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128239

Key words

  • propionyl-L-carnitine
  • myocardial contractility
  • pharmacokinetic