[Alterations of cardiac function and metabolism in the rat heart-lung preparation by methyl methacrylate (MMA) and their protection by ulinastatin].

We have assessed the deleterious effects of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on cardiac function and metabolism in the isolated heart-lung preparation and their protection by ulinastatin. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were prepared for the heart-lung model. They were randomly divided into 3 groups. In the MMA (M) and ulinastatin (U) groups, MMA 1000 micrograms.ml-1 was administered 7 minutes after the start of perfusion. At the end of the experimental period, the hearts were freeze-clamped and then myocardial high energy phosphates, lactate and glycogen were measured. Cardiac output decreased significantly in the M and U groups. Po2 of the perfusion blood in the M and U groups was significantly lower than that in the control (C) group. Myocardial ATP in the M and U groups was significantly lower than that in the C group. ADP and AMP in the M and U groups were higher than those in the C group. Although there was no significant difference in lactate levels among the 3 groups, glycogen in the U and C groups was significantly higher than that in the M group. MMA 1000 micrograms.ml-1 is much higher than the blood level (0.05-31.89 micrograms.ml-1) reported clinically in patients who had femoral prosthesis. Ulinastatin increased myocardial glycogen content which had been reduced by MMA. This may suggest that ulinastatin has a protective effect on heart damaged by MMA.