Potential protective effects of trimetazidine and quercetin on isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of trimetazidine (TMZ), quercetin, and their combination on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Background ISO has been found to produce MI in large doses; it generates highly cytotoxic free radicals that produce severe damage to the myocardial membrane. Pretreatment with TMZ and quercetin reduce oxidative stress induced by ISO. Materials and methods Fifty adult rats were divided into five groups (n = 10). Group 1 (control) and group 2 (ISO-treated) received normal saline orally through a orogastric tube for 14 days and subcutaneously for the last 2 days. Group 3 (quercetin–ISO treated) received quercetin (50 mg/kg; orally), group 4 (TMZ–ISO treated) received TMZ (10 mg/kg; orally), and group 5 (quercetin-treated and TMZ–ISO treated) received combined drugs for 14 days. All groups except the control group received ISO (100 mg/kg; subcutaneously) in the last 2 days. Serum separation and estimation of highly sensitive cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein, serum malondialdehyde, and total serum antioxidant were performed. In addition, histopathological changes of the rat heart were assessed. Results The ISO-treated group showed increased serum levels of highly sensitive cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde and decreased serum levels of total serum antioxidant, pathological picture of MI by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and negative myoglobin expression. These parameters improved better in the group receiving combined drugs compared with rats receiving TMZ or quercetin alone. Conclusion The combined treatment showed better synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects compared with either treatment alone.