The protective role of captopril against cardiac toxicity of different doses of paracetamol : histological study in rats

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective role of Captopril against the cardiac histological changes induced by different doses of Paracetamol in rats.

Forty-eight adult rats (250-300 gm) were used in two experiments: Experiment I was conducted over 10 consecutive days, wherein the rats were divided into four groups (G1- G4).

G1 rats (Control Group) received an oral dose of 0.9 % normal saline (NS); the G2 rats were administered a low dose of Paracetamol (LDP) 300 mg / kg in normal saline; G3 rats (Captopril Group) received a dose of Captopril 20 mg / kg and G4 rats received LDP plus Captopril 20 mg/kg.

In Experiment II: G1 rats (Control) received normal saline; the G2 rats were pretreated with oral Captopril 20 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days; G3 rats were administered a single oral dose of Paracetamol (3000 mg/kg in normal saline) then sacrificed after 48 hours, and G4 rats were pretreated with Captopril 20 mg / kg for 7 consecutive days followed by a single oral dose of Paracetamol 3000 mg/kg in normal saline.

After 48 hours, the rats were sacrificed and their hearts were dissected utilizing ether anesthesia and cardiac perfusion with saline that was supplemented by 10 % formaline.

Both low (300 mg / kg) and high (3000 mg/kg) doses of Paracetamol produced cardiotoxicity (capillary congestion, hemorrhage and focal necrosis).

However, Captopril provided protective effects against Paracetamol induced toxicity in rat heart.