Protective Effect of Flaxseed Oil on Diazinon-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats in Sub-Chronic Exposure.

BACKGROUND

Diazinon (DZN), an organophosphate insecticide, exerts various adverse effects on human organs. In this study, we investigated the potential cardiotoxic effects of flaxseed oil (FS oil) on oxidative stress caused by DZN in the heart tissue of rats.

METHODS

Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: a control group receiving normal saline, an FS oil group administered 200 mg/kg/d of FS oil, a DZN group treated with 70 mg/kg/d of DZN, and two co-treatment groups receiving DZN alongside FS oil at 100 and 200 mg/kg/d. We assessed oxidative stress biomarkers in heart tissue, including malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total thiol content. Heart tissue morphology was analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS

DZN significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde (12.04±1.16) and total oxidant status (0.43±0.01) and also decreased the content of catalase (23.09±1.99), superoxide dismutase (5.52±0.61), and total thiol content (6.31±0.77) in heart tissue. FS-oil + DZN decreased malondialdehyde (10.88±0.31) and total oxidant status (0.41±0.01) and also increased the content of catalase (29.34±1.77), superoxide dismutase (6.64±0.21), and total thiol content (8.20±0.15) in heart tissue. FS oil supplement consumption reversed oxidative stress status in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, FS oil ameliorated heart histopathological alterations induced by DZN.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirmed that DZN induced heart toxicity and that FS oil had protective effects. Additionally, FS oil supplementation conferred protective effects on the heart against toxicity induced by DZN.