Nitric oxide synthase inhibition in rats: Melatonin reduces blood pressure and ischemia/reperfusion-induced infarct size

Deniz E., Sahna E., Aksulu H. E.

SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL, vol.40, no.4, pp.248-252, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 40 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14017430600833116
  • Journal Name: SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.248-252
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Reduction in the synthesis or bioavailability of nitric oxide plays a significant role in the development of myocardial infarction and hypertension. Numerous studies suggest that melatonin reduces blood pressure (BP) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. The effects of melatonin on the BP and I/R-induced cardiac infarct size in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin on BP and the I/R-induced infarct size in chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibited rats by L-NAME. Rats received L-NAME for 15 days to produce hypertension and melatonin the last 5 days before I/R studies. To produce cardiac damage, the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 min, followed by 120 min reperfusion. L-NAME led to a significant increase in BP. Melatonin administration (10 mg/kg) to L-NAME treated rats significantly reduced BP and infarct size. Also, melatonin attenuated the mortality resulting from I/R, but this was not statistically significant. Melatonin administration would seem important to reduce BP and infarct size resulting from I/R in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.