Title:Cardioprotective Role of Theobroma cacao against Isoproterenol-Induced
Acute Myocardial Injury
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Justin Atiang Beshel*, Favour Nyoh Beshel, Justina Nwandimma Nwangwa, Idara Asuquo Okon, Clement Ikani Ejim and Daniel Udofia Owu
Affiliation:
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar,
Calabar - Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University,
Western Campus, Ishaka – Bushenyi District, Uganda
Keywords:
Acute myocardial infarction, isoproterenol, troponins, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, Theobroma cacao, antioxidants.
Abstract:
Background: Antioxidants are beneficial in myocardial infarction (MI). It is suggestive
that Theobroma cacao (TC) with rich antioxidant properties can be of health benefits in myocardial
injury.
Aim: The study investigated the effect of Theobroma cacao on cardioprotection in isoproterenol-induced
myocardial infarction in rats.
Material and methods: Male Wistar rats divided into four groups of 6 rats were used for the study.
In group 1, 0.9% normal saline placebo was administered via oral gavage to the control. Group 2
was the MI induced group that was given 100 mg/kg body weight isoproterenol subcutaneously
twice at an interval of 24 hours. Group 3 was administered TC for 2 weeks at 100 mg/kg bodyweight
via the oral route. Group 4 was pretreated with TC (100 mg/kg) via oral route for 2 weeks,
immediately followed by the administration of 100 mg/kg body weight isoproterenol subcutaneously
twice at an interval of 24 hours. The rats were sacrificed using chloroform anesthesia, and blood
samples collected via cardiac puncture. The serum was analyzed for troponin level, lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level.
Results: The serum troponin, LDH, and MDA levels were found to be significantly (p<0.01) increased
in the MI group compared with the control. Pretreatment with TC before MI induction significantly
(p<0.01) prevented increased serum troponin, LDH, and MDA levels when compared
with the MI group. There was also a significant (p<0.01) decrease in MDA in the TC group compared
with the control.
Conclusion: These results suggest that Theobroma cacao protects against isoproterenol-induced
myocardial injury, possibly by preventing oxidative stress and consequent lipid peroxidation.
