Levosimendan has been used for screening its anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) property. It has also been used for screening its cytotoxic effects in TP53 mutant and wild-type lung adenocarcinoma cell lines
Biochem/physiol Actions
Levosimendan has a potential to inhibit both acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication and the reactivation of latent HIV-1 proviruses. Therefore, it is considered to be a promising anti-HIV-1 agent.
Levosimendan is a calcium sensitiser.
Levosimendan is a calcium sensitiser. The compound increases the sensitivity of the heart to calcium, thus increasing cardiac contractility without a rise in intracellular calcium. Levosimendan binds to cardiac troponin C in a calcium-dependent manner and stabilizes troponin C. This is followed by actin-myosin cross-bridges, without increasing myocardial consumption of ATP. Additionally the compound acts as vasodilator by opening an ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Levosimendan is a drug used for treatment of congestive heart failure. Also it can be used to treat calcium channel blocker overdose.