Efficiency of cardioplegic solutions containing L-arginine and L-aspartic acid

In experiments on rats we studied the effects of cardioplegic solutions with L-aspartic acid or L-arginine on functional recovery and metabolism of isolated working heart after 40-min normothermal global ischemia and 30-min reperfusion. After reperfusion of the hearts preventively protected with cardioplegic solution containing L-aspartic acid or Larginine, coronary flow decreased in comparison with the initial values. As a component of cardioplegic solution, L-arginine was less efficient in recovery of contractility and cardiac output of the hearts in comparison with L-aspartic acid. In hearts protected with L-aspartic acid, the postischemic levels of ATP and phosphocreatine were significantly higher, and the level of lactate was significantly lower than in hearts protected with Larginine. In comparison with L-arginine, L-aspartic acid is a more efficient component of cardioplegic solution in protection of the heart from metabolic and functional damages caused by global ischemia and reperfusion.