ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of astaxanthin on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction and cardiac hypertrophy in rats. To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction, 18 aged Long Evans male rats were evenly divided into three groups. Group I (Control group) was given only the laboratory-ground food and normal water. Group II (ISO group) was administered ISO at a dose of 50 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) twice a week for two weeks. Group III (Astaxanthin + ISO group) was treated with astaxanthin (25 mg/kg) orally every day and ISO 50 mg/kg SC twice a week for two weeks. ISO administration in rats increased the heart and left ventricular wet weights and increased inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. Moreover, ISO administration increased the lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in heart tissues. Astaxanthin treatment prevented the increased wet weight of heart and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. The protective effect of astaxanthin was associated with reduction of free radicals by improving antioxidant enzyme function, as well as normalization and/or suppression of elevated oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and advanced protein oxidation product (APOP) in ISO-administered rats. Furthermore, astaxanthin decreased the elevated activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatinin kinase muscle/brain (CK-MB) in ISO-administered rats. In conclusion, astaxanthin may protect cardiac tissues in ISO-administered rats through suppression of oxidative stress and enhancement of antioxidant enzyme functions.
Acknowledgments
The logistics and laboratory spaces were provided by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bangladesh.
Declaration of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
About the authors
Mohammad Nazmul Alam obtained his MPharm degree from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University. His research interests are inflammation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and natural antioxidants.
Md. Murad Hossain obtained his MPharm degree from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka. He also obtained his PhD degree from Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, Japan. Currently, Md. Murad Hossain is serving as an an assistant professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in North South University. His research interests are neuro-inflammation, memory, cognitive function, and natural antioxidants.
Md. Mizanur Rahman obtained his MPharm degree from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University. His research interests are oxidative stress, inflammation, obesity and diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and natural antioxidants.
Nusrat Subhan obtained her MPharm degree from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She also obtained her PhD degree from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia. Currently, Nusrat Subhan is serving as an assistant professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in North South University. Her research interests are isolation and identification of natural compounds from plant sources, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Md. Abdullah Al Mamun obtained his MPharm degree from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University. His research interests are inflammation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and natural antioxidants.
Anayt Ulla obtained his MPharm degree from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University. His research interests are inflammation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and natural antioxidants.
Hasan Mahmud Reza obtained his MPharm degree from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka. He also obtained his PhD degree from Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan. Currently, Hasan Mahmud Reza is serving as a professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in North South University. His research interests are stem cell, molecular signaling, tissue regeneration, and metabolic syndrome.
Md. Ashraful Alam obtained his MS in pharmacology degree from the Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University. He also obtained his PhD degree from the University of Queensland, Australia. Currently, Md. Ashraful Alam is serving as an assistant professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in North South University. His research interests are antioxidants, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.