Effect of garlic extract on age-related structural changes in the heart of male albino rat, light and electron microscopical study

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases in elderly are mostly ascribable to complications of coronary atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. So this study was carried out to detect the senile changes occuring in the structure of the heart of male albino rat, and to evaluate the role of garlic extract in prevention and treatment of these senile changes. Thirty male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into five groups [six animals each]. Group I [control group] included adult rats with age [6-9] months. Group IIcomprised adult rats[6-9 months age] which were given oral supplementation of garlic extract [50mg/ kg of body weight/ day for 12 weeks]. Group III consisted of senil rats with ages ranging between 12-18 months. Group IV included animals of 9 months, which received oral garlic extract [50 mg/ kg of body weight/day for 12 weeks]. Group V comprised rats with ages 12-18 months, which received oral garlic extract [50 mg/ kg of body weight /day for 12 weeks]. Examination of the histological sections of the heart of senile rats showed patchy areas of degenerative changes in the myocardium. These changes included vacuolation and hyalinization of the cardiac muscle fibres, even areas of necrosis were also detected. Haemorrhage and focal areas of mononuclear cellular infiltration were also noticed between the affected muscle fibres. By electron microscopic examination, there were disorganization and lysis of the myofilaments. The mitochondria appeared degenerated with lysis of its cristea. The nuclei of the affected fibres showed abnormal chromatin distribution. They were surrounded by irregular nuclear membranes. The coronary arteries were dilated and congested. Their tunica media contained foam cells. Increase in the collagen content was seen between the muscle fibres as well as in the wall of the coronary vessles. The heart of animals of group IV[with age 9 months and they were given garlic for 12 weeks], showed the same histological profile as in control sections. However, examination of the sections of the heart of animals of group V [treat ment group] showed improvement in most of the reversible cardiac changes