Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University ( VCU ) found that Levitra ( Vardenafil ), an erectile dysfunction drug, protects the heart against tissue damage following acute myocardial infarction.

" Our findings further support the concept that the novel class of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, or PDE-5 inhibitors, including Levitra and Viagra ( Sildenafil ), may have a new utility in cardiac protection, in addition to their well-known use for the management of erectile dysfunction in men," said Rakesh C. Kukreja, at VCU. Kukreja is lead author of the study.

In the study, published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, Kukreja and his team demonstrated for the first time that pretreatment with a clinically relevant dose of Vardenafil induces a protective effect against myocardial infarction injury by opening the mitochondrial KATP channel in an animal model.

According to Kukreja, PDE-5 is an enzyme responsible for the destruction of cGMP, an intracellular messenger molecule, in heart cells.
The mitochondrial KATP channel and cGMP play an important role in preconditioning of the heart following a myocardial infarction.
The cGMP also has a hand in the dilation of arteries in the body.
PDE-5 inhibitor drugs, such as Vardenafil, Sildenafil, and Tadalafil ( Cialis ) are able to preserve cGMP, and therefore dilation of the arteries by inhibiting PDE-5.

Vardenafil, like Sildenafil, stabilizes the mitochondria and protects against damage of the heart by opening the mitochondrial KATP channels in cardiac cells.

" This study provides important information about the mechanism by which the PDE-5 inhibitors work. Furthermore, it is proof that the positive findings of prior studies on Sildenafil extend to another PDE-5 inhibitor," said George Vetrovec, at VCU's School of Medicine.

Vetrovec suggested that PDE-5 inhibitors such as Sildenafil and Vardenafil may one day be given to patients who are at high risk for acute myocardial infarction or prior to undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery to optimize heart protection.

In addition, Kukreja said that the PDE-5 inhibitors may be developed for future use to protect the brain, liver and other organs against ischemic injury.

Source: Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006


XagenaMedicine2006