[Dependence of the pump function of the isolated rat heart on the functional activity of sigma receptors during reperfusion].

Pre-treatment of the sigma-receptor with the sigma-receptor agonist (+)-SKF 10.047 improved the reperfusion recovery of cardiac pump function. The sigma-receptor activation, among other effects, prevented the reperfusion contracture, increased pressure in the left ventricle, and improved survival of cardiomyocytes after ischemia/reperfusion. Pre-treatment with the sigma-receptor antagonist DuP 734 augmented the reperfusion systolic dysfunction of the myocardium and prevented postischemic contractures and cardiac cell lesions. Activation of the cardiac sigma-receptor seems to prompt an augmentation of tolerance to the reperfusion damage.