title: The effect of saffron consumption on biochemical and histopathological heart indices of rats with myocardial infarction.
abstract: This study was designed to assess the effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) on rats' heart with isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. Animals were divided randomly into four groups: vehicle-control group (CTL); ISO group, administrated with Isoproterenol 85 mg/kg s.c.; saffron group; and finally combined Saffron + ISO group. Basal and final serum levels of heart troponin I, heart tissue antioxidants and histopathological indices were assessed in all groups. Isoproterenol administration significantly increased serum level of troponin I when compared to control group (3.46 +/- 0.77 vs. 0.53 +/- 0.35 ml in ng/ml, P < 0.001) and reduced significantly the glutathione peroxidase activity of heart muscle (1.63 +/- 0.21 vs. 4.01 +/- 0.64 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). The grade of heart muscle damages was severe in more than 70% of ISO group animals. Saffron + ISO group showed remarkably decreased intensity of tissue destruction and significantly decreased serum levels of heart troponin I, when compared to ISO group (1.25 +/- 0.23 vs. 3.46 +/- 0.77 ng/ml, P < 0.05). The level of glutathione peroxidase activity in Saffron + ISO animals did not have significant decline compared to saffron alone. These results suggest the protective role of saffron on ischemic hearts by biochemical and histopathological findings.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. sjokar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Siyavash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joukar
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Najafipour
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaksari
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sepehri
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shahrokhi
authors.forename: Shahriar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dabiri
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gholamhoseinian
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasanzadeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D027622:Crocus; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D019210:Troponin I; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase