Effects of resveratrol on carbon monoxide-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning leads to tissue hypoxia resulting in cardiovascular disturbances. Resveratrol (RES) is considered a natural cardioprotective agent especially in the setting of ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the present study, the cardioprotective potential of RES against CO-induced cardiotoxicity was evaluated. 45 male Wistar rats, animals were randomly assigned to 5 experimental groups. The first group served as negative control and was not exposed to CO. All remaining rats were exposed to CO 3000ppm for 60min. The second group received normal saline following CO exposure, while groups 3, 4 and 5 were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of RES (1, 5 and 10mg/kg, respectively). Histopathological examination showed that RES administration reduced myocardial lesions compared to control groups. Myocardial Akt expression was significantly increased in rats treated with the highest dose of RES (p<0.05) compared to CO-exposed non-treated animals. Caspase-3 activity in rat cardiomyocytes of RES-treated animals was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. ECG findings did not differ significantly among CO-exposed groups. In conclusion, the present study offers evidence of a protective effect of RES administration on CO-induced cardiotoxicity via Akt up-regulation and attenuation of caspase-3 activity in rat hearts.