Protective Effect of Flunixin meglumin on Changes Induced by Isoproterenol in Serum Biochemical Profile, Malondialdehyde and Heart Histology of Adult Male Rats

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important causes of death worldwide. The effect of flunixin meglumine (FM) on MI is unknown. We investigated the protective effect of FM on the serum biochemical profile, malondialdehyde (MDA), and heart histology changes induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in adult male rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six each as follows: Group 1, control. Group 2, was administered ISO subcutaneously at 85 mg/kg for 2 days. Group 3 was administered FM intraperitoneally at 2 mg/kg/d, for 3 days; and Group 4 was administered FM 2mg/kg/d intraperitoneally for 3 days and ISO 85mg/kg subcutaneously for two consecutive days. Blood samples were collected after anesthesia, 24h after the second ISO administration. The heart tissue was immediately removed for histopathological examination. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and serum MDA levels were measured on an autoanalyzer and spectrophotometer. Results:   In Group 4 (FM+ISO) the levels of AST, LDH and MDA decreased compared with those for Group 2 (ISO) (P< 0.05). Histopathologic tests revealed that ISO induced myocardial injury in Group 3 rats, whereas the alterations of the heart architecture were improved by FM in Group 4 (FM+ISO). Conclusions: The results suggest that FM has a potential cardioprotective effect against an experimental model of MI in rats.