The modulating role of vitamin E against potassium dichromate's cardiotoxicity in adult albino rat.

Introduction: One extremely hazardous inorganic chemical reagent is potassium dichromate (PD). Despite its genotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic effects, it is nevertheless frequently employed in industrial and laboratory settings. Vitamin E is fat-soluble antioxidant and a vital element for physiological functions in humans.Objective: To elucidate the preventive potential of vitamin E against adult rat cardiac damage produced by potassium dichromate.Material and Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I served as control (group Ia: received distilled water and group Ib: received olive oil, both through intragastric tube). Group II (PD, 30 mg/kg once daily through intragastric tube for 21 days) and group III received both PD (30 mg/kg) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg) through intragastric tube once daily for 21 days after a pretreatment period with vitamin E (100 mg/kg) for 7 days. Samples of cardiac muscle were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination, immunohistochemical study by anti-connexin 43 as well as morphometric analysis.Results: Group II showed marked degenerative changes in the cardiac muscle. there is marked loss of muscle fiber striations and fragmentation of nuclei. There is also disturbed ultrastructure of the cell and abnormal intercalated discs. All pathological signs were indicator of cardiac damage due to PD toxicity. Group III showed improvement of the histopathological alterations caused by PD and the cardiac fibers regained their normal structure. Anti-connexin 43 immunoreaction in group III appeared comparable to control against the weak positive reaction in group II. Morphometric analysis revealed statistically significant increase in myocardial thickness in group III in comparison with group II.Conclusion: Given its antioxidant properties and protective effects on the cardiomyocyte, vitamin E is suggested as a possible intervention to lessen the deleterious consequences of PD.