The Protective Effect of Curcumin Against Cardiotoxic Effects Induced by Chronic Exposure to Chlorpyrifos

Abstract

aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CPF on cardiac tissue and evaluate the effect of curcumin (Cur) on cardiac enzymes, oxidative indices, and histopathological changes of the cardiac tissue in rat. background: Chlorpyrifos (CPF), the most used organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) has been reported to have cardiotoxic effects. objective: The cardioprotective effect of Cur against CPF has not been found till now. method: Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n=8). C group (Control animals which received olive oil), CPF group (chlorpyrifo, 10mg/kg/day for 90 days), CPF + Cur 25, CPF + Cur 50 and CPF + Cur 100 groups (animals received 10 mg/kg/day chlorpyrifos and 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg curcumin, respectively). All treatments were administered via oral gavage for 90 days. Cardiac enzymes (LDH & CPK), oxidative stress biomarkers in heart tissue (malondialdehyde; MDA, Superoxide Dismutase; SOD) were measured. A histopathological examination of heart tissue was evaluated. result: 90-day exposure to CPF significantly increased both cardiac enzyme levels and oxidative stress biomarkers. Histological changes including disorganization of the cardiac muscle fibers with disorganization and degeneration in myocardial fibers with separation of myofibrils, cytoplasmic vacuolization of cardiac muscle fibers, and some pyknotic nuclei were found. Administration of curcuimn (100 mg/kg) reversed serum LDH concentration and oxidative stress biomarkers to normal levels in CPF exposed animals (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination of cardiac tissue of CPF + Cur 100 group revealed significant improvement in the cardiac toxic damage induced by CPF. conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that curcumin was able to reduce long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos in cardiac tissue by modulating oxidative stress. other: curcumin; chlorpyrifos; oxidative stress; cardiac tissue; rat.; chronic exposure