RESUMO
AIM: To investigate the protective effect of calcium antagonists on anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury of cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Primary-cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into four groups, namely A/R, A/R+nifedipine(Nif), A/R+ruthenium red(Ru)+heparin (Hep) and control groups. The following parameters were measured in all groups: intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i), cardiac cell viability, ATP content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the medium, PKC and MAPK activity and -Leucine(-Leu) incorporation. RESULTS: In comparison with A/R group, A/R+nifedipine(Nif) and A/R+ruthenium red(Ru)+heparin (Hep) groups showed a marked decrease in [Ca 2+ ]i and LDH content, and a significant increase in cell viability ,ATP content, activity of PKC and MAPK and -Leu incorporation(P