Cardiovascular effect of nifedipine in morphine dependent rats: hemodynamic, histopathological, and biochemical evidence

Aim To investigate whether administration of nifedipine has considerable therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent rats. Methods Sixty animals were randomized into control, morphine, morphine plus nifedipine, and morphine plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, as nifedipine soluble) groups. Each group consisted of two subgroups, with and without heart injury. The groups were treated with incremental doses of morphine or morphine plus nifedipine daily for 7 days. Myocardial injury was induced by isoproterenol (50 mg/kg i.p.) on the day 7. On the day 8, the heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rate-pressure product (RPP), and the plasma level of cardiac troponin I were measured and the hearts were histopathologically examined. Results In morphine-dependent rats, nifedipine administration was associated with a significantly higher decrease in the plasma level of cardiac troponin I than the administration of morphine alone. This finding was also significant in dependent animals that received only DMSO. HR, BP, RPP, and histopathological indices did not show significant changes in the presence of nifedipine. Conclusion Administration of nifedipine failed to show a significant therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent rats, especially in the group with myocardial injury

Cardiovascular effect of nifedipine in morphine dependent rats: hemodynamic, histopathological, and biochemical evidence

Aim To investigate whether administration of nifedipine has considerable therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent rats. Methods Sixty animals were randomized into control, morphine, morphine plus nifedipine, and morphine plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, as nifedipine soluble) groups. Each group consisted of two subgroups, with and without heart injury. The groups were treated with incremental doses of morphine or morphine plus nifedipine daily for 7 days. Myocardial injury was induced by isoproterenol (50 mg/kg i.p.) on the day 7. On the day 8, the heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rate-pressure product (RPP), and the plasma level of cardiac troponin I were measured and the hearts were histopathologically examined. Results In morphine-dependent rats, nifedipine administration was associated with a significantly higher decrease in the plasma level of cardiac troponin I than the administration of morphine alone. This finding was also significant in dependent animals that received only DMSO. HR, BP, RPP, and histopathological indices did not show significant changes in the presence of nifedipine. Conclusion Administration of nifedipine failed to show a significant therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent rats, especially in the group with myocardial injury

Arrhythmogenic Risk Assessment Following Four-Week Pretreatment With Nicotine and Black Tea in Rat

Background: There is the controversy concerning the main component of tobacco, which is responsible for its arrhythmogenesis. In addition, there is the lack of adequate information about the influence of combination of black tea and nicotine on heart rhythm. Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether pretreatment with black tea and nicotine could modulate the susceptibility to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Materials and Methods: Animals were randomized to control, black tea, nicotine, and black tea plus nicotine groups. Test groups were treated with black tea brewed (orally) and nicotine (2 mg/kg, subcutaneous), alone and in combination for four weeks. On day 29, aconitine was infused intravenously for induction of cardiac arrhythmia. Results: In comparison with the control group, each of tea and nicotine significantly decreased the duration of the ventricular tachycardia (VT) plus ventricular fibrillation (VF) and the score of arrhythmia severity (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively,). The latency for the first VT event was significantly longer in the all test groups, but VF latency was significant only in tea and nicotine groups compared with control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).Threshold dose of aconitine for inducing VT and VF increased in all test groups, but only VT showed a significant difference in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings suggest that sub-chronic consumption of nicotine or black tea alone with appropriate doses could potentially be antiarrhythmic and its combination regimen does not increase the risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias during four-week consumption period in rats. Keywords: Ventricular Arrhythmia, Black Tea, Nicotin

Dihidroksiaceton kao definitivni lijek za trovanje aluminijevim fosfidom u štakora

Aluminium phosphide (AlP), a very toxic pesticide also known as the rice tablet, releases phosphine gas upon contact with water, moisture, or gastric acid. Its mortality rate in humans is 70-100 % due to cardiogenic shock and refractory hypotension. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a simple ketonic carbohydrate, mainly used for sunless skin tanning. It also plays a beneficial role in the treatment of hypotension and cardiogenic shock by restoring blood volume and cellular respiration. The aim of this study was to investigate the its effect on the haemodynamics and electrocardiogram (ECG) in male rats poisoned with AlP. The animals were divided into the following groups: control (received 1 mL corn oil, orally), AlP (received 15 mg kg-1 AlP solved in corn oil, orally), AlP plus DHA (treated with 50 mg kg-1 of DHA 30 min after receiving AlP), and AlP plus N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (treated with 200 mg kg-1 of NAC 30 min after receiving AlP). The animals were then anaesthetised and ECG, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded for 120 min. Treatment with AlP alone and in combination with NAC was associated with progressive hypotension, tachycardia, and ECG disturbances in rats, resulting in 100 % mortality 3 h after poisoning. However, DHA achieved 100 % survival in the poisoned rats and prevented AlP-induced ECG and haemodynamic abnormalities. The main mechanism of DHA in the treatment of AlP poisoning is unclear, but the findings suggest the promising therapeutic potential of DHA against AlP poisoning.Aluminijev fosfid (AlP) je pesticid koji u dodiru s vodom, vlagom ili želučanom kiselinom oslobađa iznimno toksičan plin fosfin. Smrtnost u ljudi je od 70 do 100 % zbog srčanog šoka i refraktorne hipotenzije. Dihidroksiaceton (DHA) jednostavan je ketonski ugljikovodik koji se mahom rabi kao preparat za tamnjenje kože. Osim toga, rabi se u liječenju niskog krvnog tlaka i srčanog šoka, a djeluje tako što volumen krvi i stanično disanje vraća na normalnu razinu. Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio ispitati njegov utjecaj na hemodinamiku i elektrokardiogram (EKG) u mužjaka Wistar štakora otrovanih aluminijevim fosfidom. Životinje su podijeljene u sljedeće skupine: kontrolnu (koja je jednokratno primila 1 mL kukuruznog ulja na usta), AlP (koja je jednokratno primila 15 mg kg-1 AlP-a otopljenog u kukuruznom ulju na usta), AlP plus DHA (koja je jednokratno primila 50 mg kg-1 DHA 30 min nakon trovanja AlP-om) te AlP plus N-acetilcistein (NAC) (koja je jednokratno primila 200 mg kg-1 NAC-a 30 min nakon trovanja AlP-om). Životinje su potom anestezirane i u idućih 120 min mjereni su im EKG, sistolički krvni tlak i broj otkucaja srca. Primjena AlP-a samog ili u kombinaciji s NAC-om bila je povezana s progresivnom hipotenzijom, tahikardijom i poremećajima u EKG-u te je dovela do 100-postotne smrtnosti unutar tri sata od trovanja. S druge pak strane, DHA je osigurao 100-postotno preživljenje otrovanih štakora i spriječio poremećaje u EKG-u i hemodinamici izazvane trovanjem AlP-om. Još nije jasan osnovni mehanizam djelovanja DHA, ali naši rezultati upućuju na obećavajući terapeutski potencijal DHA u liječenju otrovanja AlP-om

Heart Reaction to Nandrolone Decanoate plus Two Different Intensities of Endurance Exercise: Electrocardiography and Stereological Approach

Background: Regarding the negative effects of androgenic anabolic steroids (AASs) abuse, the long-term effect of nandrolone decanoate with/without two intensities of endurance exercise training was investigated on heart tissue and electrocardiogram (ECG) in rats. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 63 male Wistar rats, which were 4 months old. The rats were divide into groups of control (CTL), arachis oilasnandrolone solvent (Ar), nandrolone (Nan) (received a dose of 5 mg/kg twice/week for 8 weeks), mild swimming exercise training (mEx), severe exercise (sEx), sEx + Nan, mEx + Nan, mEx + Ar, and sEx + Ar. During the 8 weeks of swimming exercise, the animals carried dumbbells equivalent to 2% of their body weight, which was gradually increased and reached 5% and 8% in the 6th week for mild and severe exercises, respectively. Finally, ECGs recording and samplings were done. Findings: Both types of exercise, without nandrolone, significantly reduced the heart rate and increased the RR interval of ECG. Nandrolone alone and with mild (P < 0.050) and intense exercise (P < 0.010 vs. CTL) increased the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) index. Left ventricular volume was significantly higher in the Nan group (P < 0.050) compared to the CTL group and all exercise groups (P < 0.010) compared to the Nan, CTL, and Ar groups. Myocytes volume increased in the presence of both of mild and high-intensity exercise plus nandrolone (P < 0.050 vs. CTL and Ar groups). Hydroxyproline value of the heart was significantly higher in the nandrolone group compared to all other groups (P < 0.001). Exercise prevented the effect of nandrolone on hydroxyproline. Conclusion: Both levels of swimming exercise prevent the effect of nandrolone on the production of hydroxyproline and fibrotic cardiac remodeling

Effects of Endurance Exercise Training on Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking

Background: There is an increasing popularity of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) in youth and even inathletes worldwide. Despite the existence of evidence of the harmful effects of hookah smoke on varioussystems of the body, especially the cardiovascular system, its simultaneous effect with exercise training hasnot been well studied. We assessed the effects of WTS exposure with/without swimming exercise on bloodpressure (BP), and heart histology and mechanical performance in male Wistar rats.Methods: The animals were divided into 4 groups of sedentary control (CTL), waterpipe tobacco smoking (S),mild endurance swimming exercise training (Ex), and waterpipe smoking plus exercise (S + Ex). Theduration of WTS and exercise was 8 weeks.Findings: BP and heart rate (HR) did not show a significant difference among the groups. WTS increased theTNF-α level of the heart (P < 0.05 vs. CTL) and cardiac tissue lesions (P < 0.05 vs. CTL), and reduced +dP/dtmax, -dp/dt max, and heart contractility indices (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively, vs. CTL andEx groups). It also increased the Tau index (P < 0.05 vs. CTL; P < 0.01 vs. Ex groups) of the left ventricle.However, the combination of exercise and WTS reduced the TNF-α level, improved the heart activity ofsuperoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, and prevented the negative effects of smoking on heartfunction and morphology.Conclusion: Mild exercise prevents WTS-induced left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction partly viaimprovement of antioxidants and attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Swimming Exercise Training Attenuates the Lung Inflammatory Response and Injury Induced by Exposing to Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke

Background: The use of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is on the rise throughout the world, especiallyamong young people and even athletes. There is a belief among consumers that exercise prevents the harmfuleffects of hookah smoke on the body. We examined this belief by evaluation of lung injury following toconcurrent WTS and swimming endurance training in male Wistar rats.Methods: Animals were randomly divided to sedentary control (CTL) group, exercise training group(Ex group), sedentary WTS (S) group, and exercise plus WTS (S + Ex) group.Findings: 8 weeks of WTS was associated with significant increase in serum level of cotinine, lung damage,reduction in alveolar number AN/SA (mm2) and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level of lung tissue.Combination of exercise with WTS significantly decreased these negative effects; however, it could not fullyprotect the lung from smoking damage. Waterpipe smoking (WPS) also significantly increased the proinflammatory cytokines of lung tissue such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P < 0.001), interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) (P < 0.010), and IL-6 (P < 0.050) in comparison with CTL group. Exercise training to somedegree reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the level of IL-10 as an antiinflammatory IL and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in animals exposed to WTS.Conclusion: It is suggested that combination of mild to moderate exercise with WTS may attenuate thehookah smoking-induced lung damage. This effect partly is mediated through balancing of pro/antiinflammatory and redox system

The Effect of Passive Opium Smoking on Cardiovascular Indices of Rabbits with Normal and Ischemic Hearts

Some Asian people believe that opium can protect the cardiovascular system. To assess this belief, we investigated the effect of passive opium smoking (POS) on cardiovascular indices in rabbits with ischemic and non-ischemic hearts

Dihydroxyacetone as a definitive treatment for aluminium phosphide poisoning in rats

Aluminium phosphide (AlP), a very toxic pesticide also known as the rice tablet, releases phosphine gas upon contact with water, moisture, or gastric acid. Its mortality rate in humans is 70-100 % due to cardiogenic shock and refractory hypotension. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a simple ketonic carbohydrate, mainly used for sunless skin tanning. It also plays a beneficial role in the treatment of hypotension and cardiogenic shock by restoring blood volume and cellular respiration. The aim of this study was to investigate the its effect on the haemodynamics and electrocardiogram (ECG) in male rats poisoned with AlP. The animals were divided into the following groups: control (received 1 mL corn oil, orally), AlP (received 15 mg kg-1 AlP solved in corn oil, orally), AlP plus DHA (treated with 50 mg kg-1 of DHA 30 min after receiving AlP), and AlP plus N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (treated with 200 mg kg-1 of NAC 30 min after receiving AlP). The animals were then anaesthetised and ECG, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded for 120 min. Treatment with AlP alone and in combination with NAC was associated with progressive hypotension, tachycardia, and ECG disturbances in rats, resulting in 100 % mortality 3 h after poisoning. However, DHA achieved 100 % survival in the poisoned rats and prevented AlP-induced ECG and haemodynamic abnormalities. The main mechanism of DHA in the treatment of AlP poisoning is unclear, but the findings suggest the promising therapeutic potential of DHA against AlP poisoning.Aluminijev fosfid (AlP) je pesticid koji u dodiru s vodom, vlagom ili želučanom kiselinom oslobađa iznimno toksičan plin fosfin. Smrtnost u ljudi je od 70 do 100 % zbog srčanog šoka i refraktorne hipotenzije. Dihidroksiaceton (DHA) jednostavan je ketonski ugljikovodik koji se mahom rabi kao preparat za tamnjenje kože. Osim toga, rabi se u liječenju niskog krvnog tlaka i srčanog šoka, a djeluje tako što volumen krvi i stanično disanje vraća na normalnu razinu. Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio ispitati njegov utjecaj na hemodinamiku i elektrokardiogram (EKG) u mužjaka Wistar štakora otrovanih aluminijevim fosfidom. Životinje su podijeljene u sljedeće skupine: kontrolnu (koja je jednokratno primila 1 mL kukuruznog ulja na usta), AlP (koja je jednokratno primila 15 mg kg-1 AlP-a otopljenog u kukuruznom ulju na usta), AlP plus DHA (koja je jednokratno primila 50 mg kg-1 DHA 30 min nakon trovanja AlP-om) te AlP plus N-acetilcistein (NAC) (koja je jednokratno primila 200 mg kg-1 NAC-a 30 min nakon trovanja AlP-om). Životinje su potom anestezirane i u idućih 120 min mjereni su im EKG, sistolički krvni tlak i broj otkucaja srca. Primjena AlP-a samog ili u kombinaciji s NAC-om bila je povezana s progresivnom hipotenzijom, tahikardijom i poremećajima u EKG-u te je dovela do 100-postotne smrtnosti unutar tri sata od trovanja. S druge pak strane, DHA je osigurao 100-postotno preživljenje otrovanih štakora i spriječio poremećaje u EKG-u i hemodinamici izazvane trovanjem AlP-om. Još nije jasan osnovni mehanizam djelovanja DHA, ali naši rezultati upućuju na obećavajući terapeutski potencijal DHA u liječenju otrovanja AlP-om