Election microscopic study of the cardioprotective effect of some antioxidants on adrenaline-induced myocardial injury in albino rats

ABSTRACT

Adrenaline is a sympathomimetic drug used as a local haemostatic and in allergic conditions. It is a life-saving drug when used in emergency treatment of angioneurotic edema, anaphylactic shock, status athmaticus, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac arrest. Many adverse effects have been reported following adrenaline administration including cardiomyopathy which was considered to result from oxidative stress. The aim of the present work was to study the possible effect of adrenaline on the ultrastructure of the myocardiuin in albino rats and to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effect of some antioxidants. The study was conducted on 20 adult male albino rats that were divided into four equal groups group I [control group], group II [treated group] that received daily injection of adrenaline, group III that received alphatocopherol simultaneously with adrenaline and group IV that received a combined dose of alphatocopherol and ascorbic acid simultaneously with adrenaline. The duration of the experiment was ten days. Rats were sacrificed one hour after the last injection Examination of the myocardium of group II revealed severe ultrastructural changes that were less obvious in group 111 and very mild or almost absent in group IV