THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ON ARSENIC INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a major public health concern in Pakistan and globally. Chronic exposure induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and structural cardiac damage leading to cardiomyopathy. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, has shown protective effects in various organs, but its role in arsenic-induced cardiac injury is not well established. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of EVOO against arsenic-induced gross and histological alterations in the heart of albino rats. Methods: Forty-five adult male albino rats were divided into three groups (n = 15 each): Group I (control, distilled water), Group II (arsenic, 40 mg/kg sodium arsenate), and Group III (arsenic + EVOO, 0.2 ml/day). After four weeks, hearts were excised, weighed, and examined histologically for congestion, inflammatory infiltration, edema and myocyte hypertrophy. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and Chi-square tests, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: Arsenic significantly increased heart weight (1.77 ± 0.04 g) and myocyte diameter (36.9 ± 1.0 μm) compared with controls (1.32 ± 0.03 g; 22.0 ± 0.9 μm; p < 0.001). EVOO prevented these changes, with values (1.38 ± 0.02 g; 24.4 ± 1.1 μm) comparable to controls (p > 0.05). Edema and inflammatory infiltration were absent in controls, but present in 80% and 93% of arsenic-exposed rats, respectively. EVOO reduced these to 60% each (p < 0.0001). Congestion was observed in 27% of arsenic-only and 33% of arsenic + EVOO rats, with no significant difference (p = 0.054). Conclusion: EVOO confers significant cardioprotection against arsenic-induced cardiomyopathy by normalizing heart weight and myocyte size and reducing histological damage.