Crocin protects chronic cigarette smoke exposure-triggers cardiac oxidative stress and inflammation causing heart adverse events: The in vivo and in vitro study

Introduction: Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases caused to premature death. Recent findings of cigarette smoke inhalation revealed a causal relationship between chronic cigarette smoke exposures caused increase level of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers which leading to development of cardiac disorders. Therefore, it is important to develop novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for cigarette smoke induced cardiac disease. Saffron (Crocus sativus Linn) as an important dietary ingredient has been used in different parts of the world. Crocin is a water soluble carotenoid and the most important active constituent of saffron which has radical scavenging and antioxidant effects. The current study was aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic cigarette smoke exposure on electrocardiogram and hemodynamic parameters in isolated-rat heart with emphasis on the protective role of crocin.Methods: Eighty rats were randomly divided into four groups, including: Control, Cigarette smoke (generated by Winston Red Cigarettes, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, USA, for ۲ months), Crocin (۵۰ mg/kg, intraperitoneally, three times per week, once a day for ۲ months) and cigarette smoke plus crocin co-treatment. After all experiments, the electrocardiogram was recorded and the following parameters were assessed: the RR interval, the heart rate, the QT interval, the ST segment and the QRS complex duration and amplitude. Then, the hearts were isolated, transferred to a Langendorff apparatus, the hemodynamics parameters (LVSP, LVEDP, LVDP and dp/dtmax) and ventricular arrhythmias were assessed according to the Lambeth conventions. Finally, inflammation and oxidative stress factors in cardiac tissues were evaluated in all groups. Differences between experimental groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and followed by post hoc Tukey’s test.Results: The obtained results showed that the exposure to cigarette smoke caused to decrease in cardiac hemodynamic and electrocardiogram parameters. Also, in CS rat groups the IL-۶, TNF-α and oxidative stress parameters were increased. Co-treatment with crocin improved left ventricular function, preserved the value of cardiac electrocardiogram parameters and decreased inflammation in rat hearts.Conclusions: In summary, we added a novel therapeutic effect of crocin for cardiac dysfunction induced by cigarette smoke exposure which are probably related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. The obtained results suggest that natural antioxidant like crocin could be a therapeutic agent in prevention and management of cardiovascular disorders caused by cigarette smoke.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crocin ، Cigarette Smoke ، Inflammation ، Oxidative Stress ، Rat