Abstract

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of BN50739, a platelet activating factor receptor antagonist, on ischaemia-reperfusion induced myocardial injury in rats. In the anaesthetized rat, the heart was subjected to ischaemia by left coronary artery ligation for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 90 min. Infarct size, electrocardiography parameters and serum creatine phosphokinase concentration were estimated to determine the extent of ischaemia-reperfusion induced injury. Serum malondialdehyde concentration was estimated to assess the extent of lipid peroxidation. BN 50739 (5 mg/kg, i.v.) administered after 45 min of ischaemia markedly reduced the infarct size, prevented the loss of R wave, attenuated ST elevation, reduced serum creatine phospho kinase and malondialdehyde concentration. The cardioprotective effect of BN50739 may be due to inhibition of platelet activating factor-induced activation of neutrophils and consequent lipid peroxidation.