Effects of U74006F, a novel inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, in stunned reperfused canine myocardium.

U74006F, a novel 21-amino steroid is a potent inhibitor of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation and has been shown to be of therapeutic benefit in central nervous system ischemia. As oxygen radicals have been implicated in the development of postischemic myocardial dysfunction, we examined the efficacy of U74006F to enhance the recovery of function in a canine model of stunned, reperfused myocardium. Twenty-six dogs were randomized to either a vehicle (n = 11), U74006F (n = 10), or U74006F-paced group (n = 5). U74006F (6 mg/kg i.v.) was administered 15 min prior to coronary artery occlusion. Myocardial blood flows were measured by the microsphere technique, and function data were obtained by sonomicrometry. Both U74006F-treated groups demonstrated a significant increase in posterior wall thickening as compared to the vehicle treatment (U74006F-paced, 27.0 +/- 12.8%; U74006F, 22.4 +/- 11%; vehicle, -13.5 +/- 9.9%, p less than 0.001 following 3 h of reperfusion). Enhanced function recovery was accompanied by lower heart rates in the U74006F-treated group following reperfusion (treated versus vehicle, 109 +/- 6.7 versus 131 +/- 8.8 beats/min, p = 0.004). The U74006F-paced group was maintained at the same rate as the vehicle group, with no diminution in function recovery compared to the unpaced group. No effects in systemic hemodynamics or nutrient blood flow were evident as a function of drug treatment. We conclude that pretreatment with U74006F enhances the recovery of function in stunned canine myocardium via the inhibition of oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation products. This activity suggests that this compound represents a new therapeutic adjunct in reperfusion and recanalization therapies.