Erythromycin treatment suppresses myocardial injury in autoimmune myocarditis in rats via suppression of superoxide production.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that erythromycin (EM), a major macrolide antibiotic, has many biological functions in addition to the anti-bacterial actions, including anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging actions. However, the effects of the drug upon inflammatory myocardial diseases are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that EM ameliorates experimental autoimmune myocarditis in rats attributing to the suppression of superoxide production.

[Relationships among frequency domain and non-linear parameters from heart rate variability].

Frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is used for the evaluation of autonomic activity. Non-linear domain parameters from HRV are also considered useful. However, properties of the latter have not yet been clearly characterized.