Abstract
Background: In our previous work, we synthesized a novel analogue of losartan
(Compound A) with dual calcium (Ca2+) channel blocking and
antagonism of angiotensin II (ANG II) type 1 receptor (AT1)
activity. In this study, the effects of this compound (compound A) on the blood
pressure (BP) and the heart rate (HR) of normotensive rats were investigated
and compared to losartan, which was used as a positive control.
Method: A novel dihydropyridine
compound was synthesized by connecting a dihydropyridine nucleus to an
imidazole ring. Three doses of compound A (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and three
doses of losartan (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to different
groups of normotensive male rats, and their effects on mean arterial
BP (MABP) and heart
rate (HR) were evaluated.
Results: All three doses of compound A reduced the MABP in normotensive anaesthetized rats in
a dose-dependent manner. The administration of 1 mg/kg of compound A and 4
mg/kg of losartan (the largest doses) caused a reduction of 67.2 ± 2.2 and 69.3 ± 2.9 mmHg
in the MABP, respectively.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that
like losartan, compound A has hypotensive properties. It can also be
concluded that compound A has greater potency than losartan.