Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. Ther. · Sep 2003
Cardioprotection by Carvedilol: antiapoptosis is independent of beta-adrenoceptor blockage in the rat heart.
Carvedilol, a beta-blocking agent with beta-blocking properties is now widely used for the treatment of congestive heart failure. In addition to its beta-adrenergic receptor blockage, antiapoptotic effects have been demonstrated in experimental animals. ⋯ Carvedilol is cardioprotective by preventing ischemia-perfusion-induced necrosis and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The antiapoptotic effects of Carvedilol are independent of its beta-adrenoceptor blocking effects, but its effects might be caused by antioxidant properties and by modulation of the signalling pathway.