RESUMEN
Iron overload is known to deteriorate some cardiovascular hernodynamics. This is mostly contributed to iron-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study is to elucidate the possible protective effect of vitamin C, as an important antioxidant, in ameliorating and preventing these deleterious effects. In the present study, 36 adult male albino rats were used and were divided into 3 equal groups. Group I [control group], in which rats were injected with intraperotenial [I.P] saline in a dose of 0.5 ml daily [5days/week] for 8 weeks. Group 2 [iron overload group], in which rats were injected with iron compound [Jectofer] I.P in a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight [B.W] daily [5days/week] for 8 weeks. Group 3 [Vitamin C-iron group], in which rats were concomitantly injected l.P Jectofer as in the second group and l.P vitamin C in a dose of 50 mg/kg B.W daily [5days/week] for 8 'seeks. Changes in some cardiovascular homodynamics were investigated including isometric ventricular contraction of isolated perfused heart, mean arterial blood pressure [MABP] and heart rate [HR]. In addition, plasma level of the enzyme creatine kinase [CK, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], lipid profile, hematocrit [Hct%], plasma total iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity [TIBC] and Malondialdehyde [MDA] were determined. The obtained results of this study revealed that iron overload deteriorated some of the myocardial functions as evident by a significant decrease of the peak developed tension and HR. meanwhile, MABP and the plasma level of CK and LDH were significantly increased compared to those of the control group. Moreover, serum triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoprotein [LDL], Hct%, plasma total iron, serum ferritin, and MDA in iron overloaded group were significantly higher while TIBC and high density lipoprotein [HDL] was significantly lower when compared to their corresponding values in the control group. Interestingly. when vitamin C was concomitantly administered with iron, a significant improvement and amelioration of all the above mentioned deteriorated parameters was exhibited. In conclusion, iron overload deteriorated some cardiovascular hemodynamics and vitamin C seemed to play a protective role in preventing these deleterious effects, probably through its antioxidant effect