The effect of astaxanthin on amiodarone induced cardiac tissue damage in rat

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on amiodarone induced cardiac tissue damage. Materials and Methods: 3 groups were formed using 30 Wistar albino rats. In group 1 (control group) (n=10), neither any drugs were given nor anything was performed. In group 2 (amiodarone group) (n=10), 100 mg/kg amiodarone was given for 7 days. In group 3 (amiodarone+astaxanthin group) (n=10), 100 mg/kg amiodarone and 25 mg/kg astaxanthin were given for 7 days. Hearts were surgically extirpated in all groups. Blood malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Also, toxicity markers such as edema, hemorrhage, fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration were assessed by examining the slides prepared from cardiac tissue with microscopy. Results: The MDA levels were significantly higher and the activities of SOD, and CAT were lower in group 2 than group 3. Tissue damage was significantly higher in group 2 than group 3. Conclusion: According to our short term findings, astaxanthin reversed the toxicity of amiodarone on cardiac tissue. In the light of these promising results, we suggest that astaxanthin usage should be thought to protect the cardiac damage due to amiodarone.