3-(R)-[3-(2-Methoxyphenylthio-2-(S)-methylpropyl]amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine Bromhydrate (F 15845) Prevents Ischemia-Induced Heart Remodeling by Reduction of the Intracellular Na+ Overload

The present study investigates whether 3-(R)-[3-(2-methoxyphenylthio-2-(S)-methylpropyl]amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine bromhydrate (F 15845), a new, persistent sodium current blocker, can reduce the ischemic Na+ accumulation and exert short-and long-term cardioprotection after myocardial infarction. First, F 15845 concentration-dependently reduced veratrine-induced diastolic contracture (IC50 = 0.14 mu M) in isolated atria. Second, F 15845 from 1 mu M preserved viability in 54.2 +/- 12.5% of isolated cardiomyocytes exposed to lysophosphatidylcholine. Third, the effect of F 15845 on intracellular Na+ of isolated hearts from control and diabetic db/db mice was monitored using Na-23-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. F 15845 (0.3 mu M) significantly counteracted [Na+](i) increase during no-flow ischemia in control mouse hearts. In diabetic db/db mouse hearts, the reduction in [Na+](i) was delayed relative to control. However, it was more marked and maintained upon reperfusion. The cardioprotective properties after myocardial infarction associated with short- (24-h) and long-term (14-day) reperfusion were measured in anesthetized rats. After 24-h reperfusion, F 15845 (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced infarct size (32.4 +/- 1.7% with vehicle and 24.2 +/- 3.4% with F 15845; P < 0.05) and decrease of troponin I levels (524 +/- 93 mu g/l with vehicle versus 271 +/- 63 mu g/l with F 15845; P < 0.05). It is important that F 15845 limits the long-term expansion of infarct size (35.2 +/- 2.6%, n = 19 versus 46.7 +/- 1.6%, n = 27 in the vehicle group; P < 0.001). Overall, F 15845 attenuates [Na+](i) and prevents (or reverses) contractile and biochemical dysfunction in ischemic and remodeling heart. F 15845 constitutes a new generation of cardioprotective agent.