Aminoguanidine Inhibits Inducible NOS and Reverses Cardiac Dysfunction Late After Ischemia and Reperfusion - Implications for iNOS-Mediated Myocardial Stunning

Abstract

The present data indicate that induction of myocardial iNOS after 48 h I/R contributes to the development of reversible left-ventricular dysfunction, suggesting the involvement of iNOS in myocardial stunning. Whereas L-arginine is associated with further reduction of left-ventricular contractility, continuous inhibition of iNOS activation by AMG improves left-ventricular performance; this may be a novel and clinically important therapeutic modality in certain disease states associated with I/R, including cardiac operations using extracorporeal circulation and coronary angioplastic procedures.