RESUMO
AIMS: Stroke is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for stroke. The objective of this work was to study the synergic effects of levamlodipine and bisoprolol on blood pressure reduction and organ protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Blood pressure was continuously monitored in conscious SHR. For acute study, a single dose of drugs was administrated via an intragastric catheter. For chronic study (4 months), drugs were delivered via rat chow. RESULTS: A single dose of levamlodipine (from 1 mg/kg), bisoprolol (from 0.125 mg/kg), and their combinations significantly decreased blood pressure. The levamlodipine-induced tachycardia and the bisoprolol-induced bradycardia were temporized by the combination of these two drugs. Upon chronic treatment, this combination also decreased blood pressure variability and reduced organ damage. CONCLUSION: Levamlodipine and bisoprolol produce synergic effects on blood pressure reduction and organ protection in SHR.