Background: Cyclosporine A (Cs A) is the most widely used immunosuppressive agent in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases treatment. Nevertheless , its therapeutic use is associated with serious effects including cardiotoxicity. Quercetin is a one of natural flavonoid, present in a lot of the human diets.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of quercetin on cyclosporine induced cardiotoxicity in adult male albino rats.
Materials and methods: Forty adult male rats were included and divided into 4 groups (10 rats each):Group I (control),Group II (quercetin group): The rats received daily intraperitoneal injection of quercetin (15mg/kg body weight/day)for 4 weeks, Group III (cyclosporine group):The rats received daily subcutaneously injection of cyclosporine A (20 mg/kg body weight/day) for 4 weeks, Group IV (cyclosporine and quercetin group): The rats received cyclosporine A and quercetin for 4 weeks. Heart specimens were taken and processed for light microscopy study{stained with hematoxylin and eosin(H&E),Masson’s trichrome, immunohistochemical detection of caspase-3}and electron microscopy study.
Results: Group III showed prominent myocardial fibers degeneration with area of myofibrils loss and area of interstitial hemorrhage were detected. This was supported by positive reaction for apoptotic marker caspase-3. An increase in the collagen fibers in the endomysium was obvious. Electron microscopic results showed irregular nucleus with disruption of sarcolemma and intercalated discs. The cytoplasm showed area of myofibrils loss and mitochondrial swelling. Group IV showed improvement of most light and electron microscope changes described before.
Conclusion: Quercetin can be natural cardio-protective agent and used to improve cyclosporine induced cardiotoxicity as it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzyme activities. We advise taking diet rich in quercetin or dietary supplementation.