Zinc-metallothionein provides a protective role against experimentally induced myocardial infarction and arrhythmia in rabbits

ABSTRACT

Zinc-metallothionein [MT] is a low molecular weight [MW] zinc binding protein [600-700 Dalton]. MT has been proposed to participate in the transport, accumulation, and compartmentation of zinc in the biological system In addition to its role as a storehouse for zinc, MT acts as a free radical scavenger and protect against cadmium toxicity. The present work aimed to investigate the possible role of MT in providing a myocardial protection against isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction [MI] and arrhythmias in rabbits. To induce myocardial MT, zinc sulfate was injected intraperitoneally 50mg/kg for three consecutive days. It was found that MT protected against MI as indicated by the lower levels of creatine kinase-MB, aspertate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase enzymes. It has also potentiated verapamil effect to protect against tachyarrhythmias