Exercise hemodynamic and neurohormone responses as sensitive biomarkers for diltiazem in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the potential of exercise hemodyanamic and neurohormone variables as sensitive biomarkers for pre-clinical evaluation of diltiazem (DTZ).

Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6 - 8 each), and each group received DTZ 10 mg/kg twice daily for 5 doses or saline followed by a treadmill exercise protocol for 7 min with speed set at 7 m/min at 3 % grade. The 3rd group received saline but no exercise.