Effect of trimetazidine on acute and sub-acute models of inflammation in male wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Pathogenesis involved in angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is atherosclerosis. Inflammation drives all phases of atherosclerosis, including initiation, progression of CAD and its complications. Drugs that reduce inflammation may have added benefit in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that trimetazidine inhibits the inflammatory markers like C- reactive protein, interleukins (IL-1, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Objective of the study was to investigate the effect of trimetazidine on acute and sub-acute models of inflammation in adult male Wistar rats.Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (150 to 180 mg) were randomly divided into three groups (n=6 each) viz. control (vehicle), aspirin (200 mg / kg body weight of rat) and trimetazidine (5.4 mg / kg body weight of rat). Anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs were studied in acute (carrageenan induced rat paw oedema) and sub-acute (cotton pellet induced granulation tissue and histopathological examination of granulation tissue surrounding grass piths) models of inflammation. Data was expressed as mean±SEM and analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s and Bonferroni test. p<0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Trimetazidine group showed significant (p <0.05) anti-inflammatory effect both in acute and sub-acute models of inflammation which was comparable to that of aspirin group.Conclusions: Results of the study indicate that trimetazidine can reduce the complications of atherosclerosis which involves inflammation as the major steps in its pathogenesis.