VCU STUDY SHOWS LEVITRA MAY PROTECT THE HEART.

The widely used erectile dysfunction drug, Levitra, is now the second drug in its class (Viagra was the first) found to protect the heart against tissue damage following acute heart attack, according to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers. Dr. Rakesh C. Kukreja and his team demonstrated that pretreatment with a clinically relevant dose of Levitra induces a protective effect against heart attack injury by opening the mitochondrial KATP channel. Both Levitra and Viagra are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. PDE-5 inhibitors stabilize the mitochondria and protect against damage of the heart by preserving dilation of the arteries. In addition, Dr. Kukreja said that PDE-5 inhibitors may be developed for future use to protect the brain, liver and other organs against ischemic injury – those injuries that are caused by lack of oxygen. (VCU News, Feb. 2006)