Effect of methyldopa treatment on cardiac function and myocardial blood flow in mongrel dogs.

Abstract

Administration of methyldopa (100 mg/kg, orally twice daily for a period of 3 days) to mongrel dogs produced significant reductions in blood pressure and heart rate. The hypotensive effect of the drug was due to a reduction in peripheral resistance. Methyldopa treatment also produced a significant decrease in coronary vascular resistance. Studies on the left ventricular function indicated that treatment with methyldopa does not compromise the ability of the myocardium to respond to an increased work load. Thus, the beneficial effect of this agent on the myocardial circulation, together with its lack of any detrimental effect on the cardiac function suggest that methyldopa may be an effective agent for the control of hypertension.

• Authors: M F Lokhandwala, J P Buckley, B S Jandhyala
• Journal: Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.) (Proc Soc Exp Biol Med) Vol. 151 Issue 3 Pg. 466-70 (Mar 1976) ISSN: 0037-9727 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1257244 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methyldopa

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cardiac Output (drug effects)
• Coronary Circulation (drug effects)
• Female
• Heart (drug effects)
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Hemodynamics (drug effects)
• Male
• Methyldopa (pharmacology)
• Vascular Resistance (drug effects)