Protective Effects of Crocin on Hemodynamic Parameters and Infarct Size in Comparison with Vitamin E after Ischemia Reperfusion in Isolated Rat Hearts

Although reperfusion is a useful method for the survival of ischemic heart, harmful effects have been observed. This study was carried out to investigate the preconditioning and cardioprotective potential effects of crocin and vitamin E on the hemodynamic and infarct size in the ischemia-reperfusion model of isolated rat hearts. Animals were divided into a control group, an ischemia-reperfusion control group and three treatment groups: crocin (10, 20, and 40mg/kg), vitamin E (100mg/kg), and combination (crocin 40mg/kg with vitamin E 100mg/kg). The hearts were excised, quickly transferred to a Langendorff apparatus, and subjected to 30min of global ischemia followed by 60min of reperfusion. Left ventricular developed pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, myocardial contractility, rate pressure product, coronary flow, and infarct size were assessed. The successful induction of ischemia was determined by ST elevation on the electrocardiogram. The results showed that crocin significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and also reduced infarct size in the rat hearts. However, the combination of crocin 40mg/kg and vitamin E 100mg/kg had an even more significantly improved effect on the hemodynamic parameters and infarct size. Therefore, it can be suggested that the protective role of crocin may be due to the stability or reinforcement of antioxidant systems, and crocin could be useful for the treatment or prevention of cardiac dysfunction.