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Research ArticleArticle

Levosimendan, a Calcium Sensitizer in Cardiac Muscle, Induces Relaxation in Coronary Smooth Muscle Through Calcium Desensitization

Peggy Bowman, Heimo Haikala and Richard J. Paul
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 1999, 288 (1) 316-325;
Peggy Bowman
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Heimo Haikala
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Richard J. Paul
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Abstract

Levosimendan is a pyridazinone-dinitrile derivative belonging to a new class of cardiac inotropic drugs, Ca++ sensitizers. Levosimendan is also a vasodilator both in vitro and in vivo, but its mechanism is not well understood. The cardiac target protein of levosimendan, troponin C, is a Ca++-binding EF-hand protein. This raises the possibility that levosimendan may also interact with smooth muscle EF-hand proteins, such as, calmodulin, the regulatory myosin light chains, or S100 proteins. We investigated the effects of levosimendan on [Ca++]i, and force in porcine coronary arteries, with receptor-mediated (U46619) or KCl stimulation. At high levels of stimulation, levosimendan decreased force without changing or increasing [Ca++]i, measured with the Ca++-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2 in the intact artery. With lower levels of U46619, levosimendan (1 μM) lowered force by 70% and reduced [Ca++]i by 38%. The relationship between force and [Ca++]i for KCl stimulation are significantly rightward shifted, indicating Ca++desensitization by levosimendan. In contrast, the phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, milrinone, does not shift the force-Ca++relations but elicits relaxation via lowering [Ca++]i. There was little change in pHi, indicating that the Ca++ desensitization by levosimendan was not attributable to decreasing pHi. Levosimendan relaxes coronary arteries and lowers [Ca++]i by mechanisms different than milrinone. Our results indicate a lowering of [Ca++]i by levosimendan consistent with opening of potassium channels and a relaxation that is independent of [Ca++]i. Our evidence points to a novel mechanism that might involve the direct effect of levosimendan on the smooth muscle contractile or regulatory proteins themselves.

Footnotes

  • Send reprint requests to: Dr. Richard J. Paul, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0576.

  • Abbreviations:
    PDE III
    phosphodiesterase III
    PSS
    physiological salt solution
    BCECF
    2′,7′-bis (carboxy-ethyl-5(6′)carboxyfluorescein)
    Fura-2
    Ca++-sensitive fluorescent probe
    • Received April 1, 1998.
    • Accepted August 21, 1998.
  • The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics: 288 (1)
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Vol. 288, Issue 1
1 Jan 1999
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Research ArticleArticle

Levosimendan, a Calcium Sensitizer in Cardiac Muscle, Induces Relaxation in Coronary Smooth Muscle Through Calcium Desensitization

Peggy Bowman, Heimo Haikala and Richard J. Paul
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 1, 1999, 288 (1) 316-325;

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Research ArticleArticle

Levosimendan, a Calcium Sensitizer in Cardiac Muscle, Induces Relaxation in Coronary Smooth Muscle Through Calcium Desensitization

Peggy Bowman, Heimo Haikala and Richard J. Paul
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 1, 1999, 288 (1) 316-325;
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