Publication:

Effect of chronic administration of nicorandil (a potassium channel activator) on body weight of two different experimental animal species

Background Potassium channel openers (Nicorandil being the prototype) are a distinct class of drugs, used in the management of chronic stable angina pectoris. Obesity is a frequent co-morbid condition and also a risk factor for angina pectoris. Anti-obesity drugs are used more frequently these days than ever before. Therefore, it is more likely that physician would be prescribing at least 2 or more drugs while treating such comorbid conditions. This generates a need for the development of a new drug which would work against both angina and obesity. The resultant effect would be a reduction in the cost burden, incidences of side effects and possible drug- drug interactions as compared to multidrug therapy. The purpose of this study is evaluating the chronic effect of Nicorandil (graded doses) on the body weight in 2 different species of animals i.e. rabbits and mice.

Methods In this study, 30 experimental animals of each species were selected. Pretreatment weight (Mean body weight±SEM) of each group were recorded and compared with the post-treatment values of the respective group in every week up to a period of 4 weeks. The route of administration was an intraperitoneal injection.

Results Chronic administration of nicorandil causes a significant reduction in body weight at moderate to high doses in both species of the study group. (p <0.05).

Conclusions Body weight reducing, an effect of nicorandil in animals, if established in human, could enhance its acceptability in obesity with various ischemic heart diseases including angina.