Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 antiarrhytmic effect in rats treated with bupivacaine toxic doses

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on female Wistar albino rats, divided into groups of 6. We had two protocols with 4 experimental groups each, treated with BPC 157 i.p. (50 ∝g/kg, 10 ∝g/kg, 10 ng/kg, 10 pg/kg) and the control group treated with saline 5 ml/kg i.p. either 30 minutes before (preventive) or 1 minute after bupivacaine 100 mg/kg i.p administration (therapeutic). Three standard ECG leads were recorded for 90 minutes. The wave amplitudes P, R, S and T, the duration of waves and intervals P, PR, QRS and RR, the presence of ventricular ectopies, tachycardia, AV block and asystolia were analyzed. Results: Bupivacaine caused bradycardia, PQ prolongation, all degrees of AV block, QRS widening, ST-T wave changes, multiform ventricular ectopies (VES), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and asystolia, as well as the decrease of the wave amplitudes. BPC 157 treated animals had in the both protocols and in all of the applied doses less prolongation of P wave in particular (p<0.001), of QRS complex and PR, QT and RR intervals as well (p<0.05). The decrease of the wave amplitudes was also counteracted, with lower mortality in the experimental groups (16.7% vs. 50%). All of the animals who did not survive had T wave elevation. Discussion: BPC 157 has shown cardioprotective effect in the both protocols and in all of the applied doses. Since prolongation of QT interval was lower in the experimental groups, the predisposition to malignant arrhythmias was also lower, which could explain the lower mortality. The T wave elevation present in all of the non survivors is a sign of impeding cardio toxicity and inevitable death, so we can confirm the conclusion of Mauch et al. and propose to use it in clinical practice as an early sign of a threatening catastrophe.