Positive inotropic effect of coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids and propionyl-L-carnitine on papillary muscle force-frequency responses of BIO TO-2 cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters

The inability of heart muscle to generate ventricular pressure to adequately propel blood through the cardiovascular system is a primary defect associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Force-frequency relationship (FFR) is one of the main cardiac defects associated with congestive heart failure. Thus FFR is a convenient methodological tool for evaluating the severity of muscle contractile dysfunction and the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Papillary muscle isolated from BIO TO-2 cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters (CMSHs), show a depressed FFR and represents an animal model of human idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In the present study we investigated the effect of CoQ(10), omega-3 fatty acids, propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) and a combination of these 3 agents (formulation HS12607) on FFR in 8 month old BIO TO-2 CMSHs. Papillary muscles isolated from the anesthetized animals were placed in an incubation bath and attached to an isometric force transducer. A digital computer with an analog/digital interface allowed control of both muscle developed force and electrical stimulus parameters. Force-frequency response was evaluated, at with increasing frequencies: 0.06, 0.12, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 Hz. HS12607-treatment produced a positive inotropic effect resulting in a significant enhancement (p < 0.05) of the peak force at the highest frequencies (1-4 Hz). In the range of frequency of 1-4 Hz also CoQ(10) and omega-3 significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the fractional decline in developed force. The significant improvement (p < 0.05) of the timing parameter peak rate of tension rise (+T') and peak rate of tension fall(-T') indicating a faster rate of muscle contraction and relaxation respectively, found in CoQ(10), omega-3 and PLC-treated CMSHs, may be due to the positive effects of these substances on sarcoplasmic reticulum functions. These findings suggest that naturally occurring CoQ(10), omega-3 and PLC, particularly when administered together in a coformulation, might be a valid adjuvant to conventional therapy in dilated cardiomyopathy especially when considering that they are natural substances, devoid of side effects.