BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion lead to impairment of electrolyte balance and, eventually, lethal arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pharmacological inhibition of angiotensin-II (Ang-II) production on heart tissue with ischemia-reperfusion damage, arrhythmia, and oxidative stress.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups: only ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R), captopril (CAP), aliskiren (AL), and CAP+AL. The drugs were given by gavage 30 min before anesthesia. Blood pressure and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded during MI/R procedures. The heart tissue and plasma was kept so as to evaluate the total oxidant (TOS), antioxidant status (TAS), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB).

RESULTS: Creatine kinase-MB was not different among the groups. Although TAS was not affected by inhibition of Ang-II production, TOS was significantly lower in the CAP and/or AL groups than in the MI/R group. Furthermore, oxidative stress index was significantly attenuated in the CAP and/or AL groups. Captopril significantly increased the duration of VT during ischemia; however, it did not have any effect on the incidence of arrhythmias. During reperfusion periods, aliskiren and its combinations with captopril significantly reduced the incidence of other types of arrhythmias. Captopril alone had no effect on the incidence of arrhythmias, but significantly increased arrhythmias score and durations of arrhythmias during reperfusion. MAP and heart rate did not show changes in any groups during ischemic and reperfusion periods.

CONCLUSIONS: Angiotensin-II production appears to be associated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, but Ang-II inhibitions increases arrhythmia, mainly by initiating ventricular ectopic beats.

Keywords: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology, Angiotensin II - metabolism, Amides - pharmacology, Antihypertensive Agents - pharmacology, Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology, Blood Pressure - drug effects, Captopril - pharmacology, Creatine Kinase, MB Form - metabolism, Fumarates - pharmacology, Heart - physiopathology, Heart Rate - drug effects, Myocardial Reperfusion Injury - physiopathology, Oxidative Stress - drug effects