Effects of amifostine against blunt chest trauma-induced cardiac injury in rats

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine whether two different doses of dexamethasone (DXM), which is a corticosteroid, and amifostine (AMI), which reduces cumulative tissue toxicity induced by cisplatin in advanced-stage cancer patients, have ameliorative effects on pathologic changes associated with cardiac contusion (CC) induced in rats. METHODS: Forty-two Wistar albino rats were equally divided into six groups (n=7): C, CC, CC+AMI 400, CC+AMI 200, CC+AMI+DXM, and CC+DXM. Tomography images and electrocardiographic analyzes were performed, mean arterial pressure was measured from the carotid artery, and blood and tissue samples were obtained for histopathological and biochemical analyses after trauma-induced CC. RESULTS: While the total oxidant status and disulfide parameters in the cardiac tissue and serum were significantly higher (p<0.05), the total antioxidant status, total thiol, and native thiol parameters were significantly lower (p<0.01) in rats with trauma-induced CC. The most frequently observed finding in the electrocardiography analyze was ST elevation. CONCLUSION: According to evaluation based on histological, biochemical, and electrocardiographic examinations, we believe that only 400 mg/kg dose of AMI or DXM can be effective in the treatment of myocardial contusion in rats. Evaluation based on histological findings.