Aims: 

It is possible that diethylcarbamazine citrate, the antihelmintic drug and lipoxygenase inhibitor affects cardiovascular functions, but little is known about the role of this drug on myocardial contractility, heart rate and coronary flow. Furthermore, the possible action of diethylcarbamazine citrate on contractile force, +dP/dtmax, heart rate and coronary flow has not been investigated in isolated rat hearts. Therefore, we studied the probable effects of the drug on left ventricular developed pressure (the index of cardiac contractility), +dP/dtmax (the maximal rate of pressure development), heart rate and coronary flow in rat hearts.

Methods: 

The hearts were isolated under light ether anesthesia and perfused under constant pressure conditions with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. After stabilization 0.2, 1 and 5 mM diethylcarbamazine citrate was infused to the hearts for 30 min.

Results: 

Diethylcarbamazine citrate at a dose of 0.2 mM did not change the heart rate but, 1 and 5 mM significantly decreased (p< 0.001). All the doses of diethylcarbamazine citrate markedly reduced developed pressure, +dP/dtmax and coronary flow (p< 0.001 for all).

Conclusion: 

There is sufficient evidence from this study that diethylcarbamazine citrate possesses a negative inotropic action. These results might suggest that the drug can also decrease coronary flow. Furthermore, higher doses of the drug may exert bradycardic action. Diethylcarbamazine citrate in doses ranging from 0.2 to 5 mM may induce depressant effects on cardiac functions.