Aims: One of the major factors in sudden cardiac arrest is the initiation and continuation of deadly arrhythmias during ischemia. It is known that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has useful effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects in the skeletal muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of HMB on the ventricular arrhythmias due to the ischemia.  

Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 30 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups including control, HMB320, and HMB700. As control group received normal saline, HMB320 and HMB700 groups orally received 320 and 700 mg/Kg HMB as gavage for 2 weeks, respectively. The rats, having been anesthetized, underwent 30-minute ischemia. Then, the numbers of premature ventricular contractions (PVC), the appearance duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and the ventricular fibrillation (VF) were assessed. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using Kruskal-Walis, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc, and Chi-square tests.

Findings: There was a significant reduction in the mean PVC number in HMB320 and HMB700 groups than control group (p=0.001). In addition, there was such a significant difference between the groups received the doses (p=0.008). There was a reduction in the mean appearance duration of VT in HMB320 and HMB700 groups than control group (p=0.001). There was a significant reduction in the mean appearance duration of VF in HMB700 group compared to control group, only (p=0.003).

Conclusion: Through arrhythmias reduction, 2-week preventive consumption of HMB might considerably reduce the severe side effects of ischemia.