Long-term therapy with trimetazidine in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster BIO 14:6.

The cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster (CMH) of the strain BIO 14:6 is a model for both cardiac and skeletal muscle abnormalities. It has reduced longevity and noticeable hypertrophy of the heart and liver. At 220 days, CMHs display a total Ca2+ overload, 1.3-1.8-fold normal and a cytosolic Ca2+ concentration 2-4-fold higher than normal. Long-term oral treatment (18 mg/kg per day) with trimetazidine (anti-ischaemic drug), from age 30 to 350 days, was more efficient than the standard Ca2+ blocker verapamil. Trimetazidine increased the median survival time of CMH by 57% and the hypertrophy disappeared. The total Ca2+ level in CMHs reverted to that of normal Syrian hamsters (F1B). The cytosolic Ca2+ overload was limited to a factor of approximately 2. Therefore, trimetazidine possesses anti-Ca2+ properties and is effective in increasing survival and decreasing the heart and liver hypertrophy of CMH. This suggests that trimetazidine may be valuable in the prevention of congestive heart failure of similar aetiology.