Cardioprotective effect of Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibition in cardioplegic arrest by SEA0400

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of SEA0400, a Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, in cardioplegia on rat myocyte contractile function. SEA0400 significantly reduced the accumulation of diastolic Ca2+ throughout cardioplegic arrest compared to ischemic control and cardioplegia. Cells treated with SEA0400 during cardioplegic arrest showed significantly larger Ca2+ transient amplitudes and contractions throughout reperfusion compared to cells treated with cardiopelgia alone. Intracellular Ca2+ stores were similar in both cardioplegic groups at baseline and during reperfusion. Together these results suggest that SEA0400 has beneficial effects at protecting ventricular myocytes during cardioplegic arrest and that SEA0400 in cardioplegia may affect myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity.