Effects of berbamine on hemodynamics and myocardial reperfusion injury in isolated working rabbit hearts

The isolated working rabbit hearts perfused with Tyrode's buffer solution persisted working in good condition at least up to 70 min. Berbamine (Ber) 3 mumol.L-1 significantly changed the hemodynamic parameters and reduced cardiac functions. The effects of Ber appeared in a dose-dependent manner. Reperfusion following 30-min of global ischemia aggravated the myocardial damages induced by ischemia, and the parameters of cardiac functions in working hearts markedly reduced and did not restore even at 20 min of reperfusion. Ber 1 mumol.L-1 reduced the myocardial ischemic reperfused damages and restored all parameters to the level of preischemia within 10 min of reperfusion, and this situation of working hearts also lasted 40-50 min. The present results showed that Ber could protect myocardium against ischemic reperfused damages, promote the recovery of cardiac functions and prolong the efficient working period in isolated working rabbit hearts.