Felodipine attenuates myocardial remodeling induced by aldosterone

AIM To investigated the protective effects of felodipine（Fel） in aldosterone （Ald） induced myocardial remodeling. METHONDS Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups, 8 rats in each group: namely, Control group, Ald group Ald 18 μg/d hypodermic injection for 4 weeks), Ald+Fel group ［Ald 18 μg/d hypodermic injection and Fel 5 mg/(kg·d) intragastric administration for 4 weeks］, and Ald+Spi group (Ald 18 μg/d hypodermic injection and Spi 20 mg/(kg·d) intragastric administration for 4 weeks). All the animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and the ratio of left ventricular weight/body weight (LVW/BW) and heart weight/body weight (HW/BW), the concentration of SOD and MDA in cardiomyocyte homogenate, collagen area (CA) and apoptosis index (AI) were analyzed. RESUSTS Compared with those in Ald group, LVW/BW, HW/BW, CA and AI were lower in control group, Ald+Fel group and Ald+Spi group. SOD was higher and MDA was lower in control group and Ald+Spi group (P<0.01), but not in Ald+Fel group. CONCLUSION Felodipine can improve aldosterone-induced myocardial hypertrophy and cardiomyocyte apoptosis but not aldosterone-induced oxidative stress.