THE IMPACT OF POLYAMINE ANALOGS ON THE BLOOD-PRESSURE OF NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The impact of the antineoplastic polyamine analogues (NN14)-N-1-diethylhomospermine (DEHSPM) and (NN11)-N-1-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) on the blood pressure and heart rate of normotensive and hypertensive rats are described. DEHSPM was administered to both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), while the DENSPM analogue was given only to the normotensive animals. The intravenous administration of DEHSPM at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg resulted in a profound and long-lasting drop in the test animals' blood pressure, with no appreciable change in their heart rate. This was true for both the normotensive and the hypertensive animals. When administered at equivalent molar dosages, DENSPM was one fifth as effective as DEHSPM at reducing blood pressure. The impact of N-G-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) and L-arginine on the analogues' activity is consistent with the involvement of nitric oxide.