The consumption of diets rich in plant foods are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) in Cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative cardiotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of Cd (5 mg/kg bw/day for 4 weeks) to rats showed a significant increase in the activities of serum marker enzymes such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine transaminases in and a significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides in heart. Cd -intoxicated rats also showed a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase in heart and the levels of glutathione and ascorbic acid in heart. Pre-administration of SAMC (40 mg/kg) to Cd-treated rats daily for a period of 4 weeks caused a significant restoration in the activities of marker enzymes and improved the antioxidant status by decreasing lipid peroxidative products, protein carbonyl content and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants. Administration of SAMC to normal rats did not show any significant effect. Histopathological findings of the myocardial tissue also confirmed the protective role of SAMC in Cd -treated rats. The results of the present study supports that SAMC possesses antioxidant activity in Cd -induced experimental oxidative cardiotoxicity.
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