The Effect of Colchicine, Nebivolol and their Combination on Experimentally Induced Myocardial Infarction in Male Albino Rats

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a major global health problem. Excessive post-MI inflammation contributes to cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, and adverse ventricular remodeling, emphasizing the need for therapies that can modulate inflammation effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of colchicine, nebivolol, and their combination in the treatment of MI. Methods: 30 adult male albino rats weighing 180–200 gm were randomly divided into 2 groups: Sham group and Myocardial infarction (positive control) group. The latter was divided into 4 subgroups: (MI group, Colchicine-MI treated group, Nebivolol-MI treated group, and Combined (Colchicine-Nebivolol) MI treated group). ECG changes (Q-wave and ST-segment depression) and the following parameters were measured: heart weight (HW) and heart weight/body weight (HW/BW), creatine kinase (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) , and BAX/BCL2. Histopathological examination for cardiac tissue was done by using hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) and Masson Trichrome. Results: Treatment with Colchicine and Nebivolol significantly reduced HW, HW/BW, CK-MB, LDH, TNF-α, IL-1β, NLRP3, ERK, BAX, and the BAX/BCL2 ratio, while increasing BCL2 expression. ECG findings showed decreased Q-wave and ST-segment depression. Additionally, the histopathological picture of the heart was improved. Conclusion: Colchicine alone has a less therapeutic effect in the management of myocardial infarction; however, the combined administration of Colchicine and Nebivolol yields the best outcome, as both target the pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammation and oxidative/apoptotic stress.