protective role of flavonoids on the cardiac muscle during the development of myocardial infarction

In this study, three common natural flavonoids [sour orange, sweet orange and salvia] known to have positive cardiotonic effect were chosen and their ability to inhibit apoptotic death of cardiac muscles and the extent that they could protect them during evolving myocardial infarction were tested. The three flavonoids influenced the apoptotic cell death. The elevated creatine kinase isoenzymes [CK MB] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels were significantly decreased. Also, the decrease in QRS volts and the increase in the heart rate, which were observed in cardiac infarction, were significantly improved. Thus, it was concluded that the three flavonoids, with variable degrees, influenced the apoptotic cell death in the cardiac muscle and protected the heart during evolving MI by decreasing the degree of tissue necrosis. Also, they can improve the performance of the heart and decrease the incidence of ventricular fibrillation

Protective Effect of vitamin E in renal transplantation

This work studied the effect of vitamin E as antioxidant and an oxygen free radicals scavenger on preventing and treating renal dysfunction induced by Cy-A in experimental rats. Five groups of male albino rats [ten each] were used; the first group served as controls, the second received vitamin E, the third received vitamin E prior to Cy-A treatment, the fourth received Cy-A and the fifth received Cy-A then vitamin E. The study revealed that Cy-A induced deterioration in renal function as manifested by a significant increase of plasma urea and creatinine levels as well as a significant increase of urinary excretion of creatinine, retinol binding protein [RBP] and thromboxane B2 [TxB2]. On the other hand, there was an association between the enhanced production of lipid peroxidation and increase excretion of thromboxane B2 [TxB2] and also cortical synthesis of endothelin. Treatment with vitamin E minimized the effects of Cy-A on kidney functions, especially if it was given prior to Cy-A. Vitamin E also decreased the synthesis of lipid peroxidation and endothelin by the cortical tissues and decreased the urinary excretion of thromboxane B2