The preventive effects of rutin on immobilization stress-induced cardiac damage

The previous studies formed the role of oxidants and proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of acute psychological stress-related cardiac damage leading to mortality and other complications. The aim of the study is to examine the protective effect of rutin against stress-induced cardiac damage. In the literature, no studies have been found analyzing the effects of rutin in acute stress-related oxidative damage induced by immobilization method in rats. Rutin was administered orally to rutin + stress applied (RSG) group albino rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg. For healthy control (HG) and stress applied to control (SAG) groups, distilled water as a solvent was orally administered at the same volume (0.5 mL). One hour after rutin and distilled water applications, all animals except for HG brought into a supine position and their legs and arms were ligated and kept in the same position for 24 h. The oxidant, cytokine and cardiac biomarker levels in blood serum and heart tissues of SAG animals were found to be significantly higher and total glutathione was lower than RSG and HG groups. Histopathologically dilated congested blood vessels and myocardial destruction, hemorrhage, edema, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration were observed in the SAG heart tissues. On the other hand, the histological heart tissue results of the RSG group was found to be similar compared to the healthy tissue except for the slightly dilated congested blood vessel. These results indicate that the rutin may be useful in the treatment of stress-related oxidative cardiac damage. © 2019 Polish Pharmaceutical Society. All rights reserved.