Effects of Fimasartan/Amlodipine Fixed-Dose Combination on Left Ventricular Systolic Function and Infarct Size in Rat Myocardial Infarction Model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fimasartan/amlodipine fixed-dosed combination (F/A) on left ventricle (LV) systolic function and infarct size in the rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. We induced MI in 20 rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and they were divided into two groups [MI group (n=10) vs. MI+F/A 10 mg/kg group (n=10)]. F/A was administered for 28 days between day-7 and day-35 in the MI+F/A group and echocardiography was performed at day-7 and at day-35 after the induction of MI. Picrosirius red staining was performed to confirm the fibrotic tissue and infarct size was measured using image analysis program for Image J. At the 35-day follow-up, the LV ejection fraction (EF) was significantly higher (38.10±3.92% vs. 29.86±4.56%, p<0.001) and delta (day-35 minus day-7) EF was significantly higher (0.14±2.66% vs. −8.53±2.66%. p<0.001) in the MI+F/A group than the MI group. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the MI+F/A group than the MI group (103.23±13.35 mmHg vs. 123.43±14.82 mmHg, p<0.01). The MI+F/A group had a smaller infarct size (26.84±5.31% vs. 36.79±3.10%, p<0.01) than the MI group at the 35-day follow-up. Oral administration of F/A 10 mg/kg could improve LV systolic function and reduce infarct size in a rat MI model.