Effect of hydrogen sulfide donor on histological changes in the heart of rats with alcoholic cardiomyopathy

Relevance. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is an actual problem today, because it is characterized by high prevalence and rapid development of complications. The question of effective pharmacotherapy of alcoholic heart damage remains open. The use of hydrogen sulfide donors is prospective in this direction. Aim. To evaluate the influence of hydrogen sulfide donor on histological changes of rat myocardium during experimental alcoholic cardiomyopathy in rats. Methods. Experimental studies were conducted on 30 white non-linear male rats. According to the purpose of the study, all animals were divided into three groups (10 rats each): 1st group – control; 2nd group - animals that were simulated alcoholic cardiomyopathy by intragastric administration of 20% aqueous ethanol solution (at a dose of 8 g/kg/day) for 90 days; Group 3 - rats that, after the cessation of alcoholism, were injected with the donor H2S - NaHS in a dose of 3 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for two weeks. Histological studies of fragments of the left ventricle were carried out on the basis of the Vinnytsia Regional Pathological and Anatomical Bureau according to the generally accepted method using an Olympus BX-41 light microscope (Olympus Europe GmbH, Japan). Results. Data from histological studies showed that alcoholic cardiomyopathy is accompanied by a number of changes in the vessels of the myocardial stroma and muscle fibers. Ischemia and spasm of blood vessels, partial detachment of the endothelial layer, signs of myocardial inflammation, as well as ischemia of muscle fibers, which is accompanied by myolysis, fragmentation, abrasion of transverse striations, areas of hypertrophy, are noted. Under the conditions of using the hydrogen sulfide donor NaHS, the expressiveness of the structural changes of the myocardium initiated by alcoholic cardiomyopathy decreases: the condition of the endothelial lining of the arterioles improves, the signs of vascular spasm, myocardial inflammation, and ischemia of muscle fibers decrease. Conclusion. The conducted histological studies confirmed the presence of donor hydrogen sulfide cardioprotective properties in experimental alcoholic cardiomyopathy.