Bioquímica y fisiología: acceso abierto

Abstracto

Modulation of ECG, Myocardial Oxidative Stress Markers and Connexion 43 Expression by Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Emile F Metias, Nisreen M Aboelmaaty, Abdelaziz M Hussein, Eman W Abdallah and Azza Abdelaziz

Objective: To assess the effects of ferulic acid (FeA) and ascorbic acid (AS) and combination of both on ECG variables, serum cardiac enzymes (AST, LDH, CK-MB), myocardial oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD and GSH) and connexin 43 (Cx43) expressions in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction. Methods: 40 male rats were equally allocated into 5 groups, 1) Control group, 2) ISO-induced MI group (rats received ISO 150 mg/Kg ip for 2 consecutive days at 24 h intervals), 3) FeA group (rats received ISO+FeA at 20 mg/kg/day po for 6 days), 4) AS group (rats received ISO+AS at 80 mg/kg/day po for 6 days) and 5) Combined group (rats received ISO+AS+FeA in the same previous doses). Results: The ISO group showed significant increase in serum cardiac enzymes (AST, CK-MB, and LDH), myocardial MDA and myocardial histopathological damage score with significant decrease in myocardial antioxidants (SOD and GSH) and Cx43expression compared to the control group (p<0.05). ECG traces of rats of ISO-induced MI, showed ST segment elevation, prolonged QT interval, shortened RR interval and increased heart rate. A combination of FeA and AS caused more significant improvement in the studied parameters than did each agent alone. ECG changes were improved significantly in the combined treatment group only. Conclusion: A combination of FeA and AS seems to offer a greater protective effect against ISO-induced myocardial infarction. This might be due to the synergism between their antioxidant properties as well as their effects on the density and location of Cx43 in myocardium.