Comparing Effects of Lacidipine, Ramipril, and Valsartan Against Experimentally Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats

In this study, the effects of lacidipine (LAC), ramipril (RAM), and valsartan (VAL) on biochemical and histopathologic changes in heart tissue were studied in rats with isoproterenol-induced (ISO-induced) myocardial infarction (MI). LAC, RAM, and VAL had been administered via oral gavage at 3, 3, and 30 mg/kg doses, respectively, once per day during a 30-day time period. On days 29 and 30, the drug treatment group and the control group (with the exception of the intact control group, in which no medications were given, and ISO was not administered) were administered 180 mg/kg ISO subcutaneously over an interval of 24 h. After this period, the hearts of the rats were removed and processed for biochemical and histopathologic studies. The antioxidant parameters superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. A diagnosis of MI was confirmed with antioxidant parameters and histopathologic findings. In MI control groups, histopathologic indicators were found to be statistically higher than those in drug groups; an increase in histopathologic indicators of MI correlates with significant decreases in SOD and CAT levels, and an increase in MDA level. Histopathologic grades of MI indicators were significantly higher in MI group that did not receive any cardioprotective medications in comparison with MI groups that received LAC, RAM, and VAL. Each of the three medications favorably modulated most of the biochemical and histopathologic parameters observed. No significant difference existed with regard to any of the estimated parameters in the rat groups that received medications without MI induction. In conclusion, results indicate that LAC, RAM, and VAL significantly reduced myocardial injury and emphasize the cardioprotective nature of these agents.