AIMTo observe the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and aldosterone receptor blockers on cardiac function to explore the mechanism of cardiac function descending and myocardial injury in calcium-overload rats.

METHODSCalcium-overload in rat was induced by administration of Vitamin D3 plus nicotine. To Estimate the extent of calcium-overload by calcium content. Angiotension II and aldosterone levels in the myocardia were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cardiac function (+/- LVdp/dt, LVESP and LVEDP) were measured by Powerlab. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content, activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CPK) were measured by biochemistry.

RESULTSCalcium content increased by 3.2-, 5.8 -fold in myocardial and artery, compared with controls. VDN-treated survivors showed lower + LVdp/dt(max) and -LVdp/dt(max) values, by 27% and 34%, respectively (both P < 0.01). Higher LVESP, and LVEDP by 42 % and 32% (P < 0.01); heart rate and mean arterial pressure were not significantly altered (P > 0.05). The lipid peroxidation products MDA and conjugated diene in myocardia were increased 22% (P < 0.01), 68% (P < 0.05) (P < 0.05), respectively. The plasma activity of CPK and LDH was greatly increased by 4.5-and 3.1-fold (P < 0.01), respectively. ACEI and spironolactone obviously relieved degree of calcium-overload and improved cardiac function and myocardial injury(P < 0.01). Calcium content in myocardia and artery was lower 44%, 39% and 57%, 34%. Lower MDA by 20%, 30%, lower conjugated diene by 44%, 35% than calcium-overload group. The plasma activity of CPK and LDH were obviously decreased 28%, 34% and 20%, 27%, compared with calcium-overload group.

CONCLUSIONCalcium-overload could lead to cardiac function descending and myocardial injury in calcium-overload rats by VDN. ACEI and spironolactone could reduce calcium-overload in myocardial and ameliorate cardiac function and decrease myocardial injury.