Abstract
This study was designed to examine the effects of lyophilized red delicious apple peel (RDP) on the action potentials (APs) and the input resistance-threshold current relationship. The experiments were performed on isolated papillary heart muscles from healthy male rats, healthy male rats treated with RDP, diabetic male rats, and diabetic male rats treated with RDP. The preparation was superfused with oxygenated Tyrode's solution at 37°C. The stimulation and the recording of the APs, the input resistance, and the threshold current were made using conventional electrophysiological methods. The RDP presented no significant effect in normal rats. Equivalent doses in diabetic rats reduced the APD and ARP. The relationship between input resistance and threshold current established an inverse correlation. The results indicate the following: (1) The functional structure of the cardiac ventricular syncytium in healthy rats is heterogeneous, in terms of input resistance and threshold current. Diabetes further accentuates the heterogeneity. (2) As a consequence, conduction block occurs and increases the possibility of reentrant arrhythmias. (3) These modifications in the ventricular syncytium, coupled with the increase in the ARP, are the adequate substrate so that, with diabetes, the heart becomes more arrhythmogenic. (4) RDP decreases the APD, the ARP, and most syncytium irregularity caused by diabetes.
Highlights
The cultivation of the apple (Malus domestica) for human consumption dates back centuries, and apples are estimated to be the third most commonly consumed fruit, after bananas and citrus [1]
(4) red delicious apple peel (RDP) decreases the action potential duration (APD), the absolute refractory period (ARP), and most syncytium irregularity caused by diabetes
The effects of RDP were quantified with the electrophysiological parameters of the papillary muscle
Summary
The cultivation of the apple (Malus domestica) for human consumption dates back centuries, and apples are estimated to be the third most commonly consumed fruit, after bananas and citrus [1]. Some apple components have even been found to have beneficial effects with regard to cognitive loss with ageing, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal protection, and the maintenance of body weight [4]. The protective effects are attributed to phytochemical compounds such as triterpenes and polyphenols due to their antioxidant properties. The apple contains large amounts of free polyphenols [5]. The composition of phytochemicals depends on factors including the variety, cultivation conditions, harvesting, soil, and climate, in addition to the type of fruit tissue that is considered (peel, pulp, and seed). The peel contains the greatest amount of polyphenols because it is the main physical, chemical, and biological protection of the fruit from the external environment [1]
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