Abstract

Objective. Myocardial infarction (MI) as a result of cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an important marker of cardiac failure. Cardioprotective activities of the antihypertensive drugs lacidipine (LAC), ramipril (RAM) and valsartan (VAL), against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI, have been determined. However, the levels of BNP, an indicator of left ventricular failure, have not been evaluated.

Materials and Methods. This study investigated the effects of LAC, RAM and VAL on serum BNP levels in acute and chronic periods after ISO-induced MI in rats.

Results. Serum BNP was found to be significantly increased in the acute MI model, but not in the chronic MI model. RAM and VAL application decreased BNP levels that had been increased after acute MI induction. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in chronic MI+drug groups compared with both intact and chronically infarcted control groups.

Conclusion. The acute MI model, but not the chronic MI model, was associated with increased serum BNP levels. Pretreatment with RAM and VAL, but not LAC, prevented the acute MI-induced increase in serum BNP levels, suggesting that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system has prophylactic effects in the acute MI model. Therefore, both RAM and VAL may become first-line drugs for the treatment of hypertensive patients who are at high risk for cardiovascular failure.