Abstract
Author(s): Surajit Bhattacharjee and Sudipta Pal*
The present work elucidates anti-lipidemic and cardioprotective effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid against arsenic-induced cardiotoxicity and the possible mechanisms involved therein. Swiss albino mice were treated intraperitoneally with sodium arsenite at a dose of 7.2 mg/kg b.w./day for a period of 30 days. Oral administration of vitamin B12 at a dose of 1 µg/kg/day and folic acid at a dose of 50µg/kg/day was used separately and also in combination in mice for the last 14 days of arsenic treatment. Arsenic treatment significantly altered serum lipid profile as indicated by enhanced level of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL with decrease in HDL content of serum. The activities of GPT, GOT, γ-GT, CK and uric acid level in serum were elevated markedly, indicating adverse effects of arsenic on cardiac tissue. GSH and total thiol contents were decreased whereas NO, LPO, protein carbonyl content, free .OH radical production increased in arsenic-treated animals. Serum GPT and GOT activities and tissue NADPH oxidase activity increased significantly, whereas GR, GST, GPx, SOD and catalase activities of cardiac tissue decreased after arsenic treatment. In addition, arsenic treatment alters cardiac ultrastructure. Treatment with vitamin B12 and folic acid appreciably restored the altered lipid profile and other associated metabolic changes in cardiac tissue to their respective control level, which indicates potential beneficial effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid against arsenic-induced cardiotoxicity.