Protective effects of verapamil on ischemia-induced hepatic damage in the rat.

The preventive effects of the calcium channel blocker, verapamil, on ischemic liver damage were studied using a rat total hepatic ischemic model. A marked improvement in the survival was obtained by verapamil administration. Following 90 min of hepatic ischemia, 8 of 9 rats (89%) survived in the verapamil-treated group compared to only a 50% survival rate in the saline-treated control group. Furthermore, 56% of the rats still survived after 120 min of ischemia, while there was no survivor in the control group. The recovery of hepatic ATP level following ischemia was significant in the verapamil-treated group, showing the well-preserved mitochondrial function afforded by verapamil administration.