Since 2000, TSU researchers have been studying the issues of influence of a drug Zafirlucast on the cardiovascular system after different types of cardiac muscle damage occurs. The research is being carried out by the TSU Department of Pharmacology and ltd “International Center of New Biomedical Technologies”, and is continuing at the Department of Pharmacology of the TSU Faculty of Medicine.

The research, entitled “Analysis of cardio protective action of leukotriene antagonist ‘Zafirlucast’ in the experiment during adrenaline-induced myocardial damage”, studies how to identify the positive influence of the drug Zafirlucast on the cardiovascular system after different types of heart muscle damage occurs.  According to the researchers, similar studies are being carried out abroad within the framework of cardiovascular system experimental projects as well as in pathological modeling and clinical projects. No such study has been conducted in Georgia - and in terms of the pathological models selected and their medicamentous management, it is one of the first in the world.

Morphological, biochemical, electrophysiological and pharmacological research conducted by the researchers have ascertained positive effects of Zafirlucast, a cystein-containing leukotriene (a strong hormone released by some cells) antagonist (substance that tends to neutralize the action of a drug or any chemical process), on the regulation of blood circulation and cardiovascular parameters during myocardial damage caused by experimental stress-induced and acute ischemia. In particular, Zafirlucast reduces the negative impacts that accompany heart muscle damage caused by other factors and improves biochemical and electrophysiological parameters impacted as a result of heart muscle damage.

Most frequently Zafirlucast is prescribed for the prophylaxis and treatment of bronchial asthma.  Generally, cystein-containing leukotriene antagonists are used in clinical practice during various inflammatory and allergic-inflammatory processes, both to treat these diseases and to minimize undesirable symptoms of the cardiovascular system.  Based on this research, recommendations have been developed for general practitioners and cardiologists. These recommendations include the early diagnostic of cysteinyl leukotriene in the blood to define the gravity of any myocardial inflammation and necrosis, thus reducing lethality. Moreover, the clinical use of common brands of cysteinyl leukotriene antagonists--Zafirlucast and Montelukast--is also envisaged.

These drugs are expedient for monotherapy as well, for example in combination with non-steroid and steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. This research permits physicians to better make early diagnostics for cardiac muscle damage, and is a new method of treatment for cardiac muscle damage caused by inflammation. Data from experimental research can also be used by general practitioners for combined cardiovascular and respiratory diseases—both for prophylaxis and for treatment. These recommendations can help reduce complications caused by cardiac muscle damage and associated mortality rates.

RESEARCHERS:

Professor Tamar Kezeli, Department of Pharmacology, TSU Faculty of Medicine.

Professor Nikoloz Gongadze,  Department of Pharmacology, TSU Faculty of Medicine, Head of TSU Department of Pharmacology.

Professor Galina Sukoyan, Director of the ltd “International Center of New Biomedical Technologies”.

REFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS:

Besides Georgia, presentations of research results were made in Russia, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Denmark, including at the 9th Congress of the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Edinburg, 2009, July 12-15; the 8th International Congress on Coronary Artery Disease “From Prevention to Intervention” Prague, Czech Republic, October 11-14, 2009; and WorldPharma 2010, Copenhagen. In 2013 a monograph was published dedicated to the above mentioned research.

“Role of Leukotrienes in Stress-Induced Damage to the Heart. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine”, General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Moscow, 2002, pages 436-438;

“Effect of a combination of Zafirlucast and querceptin on baroreflex sensitivity and endothelin production”, International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics,  B22379 E, Volume 48, Number 5, May 2010 p. 335-342;

“Influence of Zafirlucast on cardiogemodynamic parameters, baroreflective regulation of blood circulation and function of endothelium relaxing system during adrenaline-induced damage to the myocardium”, Georgian Medical News, Tbilisi-New York, No 3 (108), 2004, pp. 57-61;

“Use of Zafirlukast, Cistein-Containing Leukotriene Antagonist in Epinephrine-Induced Heart Injury, Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine”, General Pathology and Pathological Physiology , Moscow, 2002, pages 451-453, etc.