Iranian Heart Journal

Iranian Heart Journal

The Effects of Vanillic Acid on the Q-T Interval and the Knee Joint Vascular Response in Rats With Liver Cirrhosis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Narges Atefipour 1
Mahin Dianat 2
Mohammad Badavi 2
Alireza sarkaki 2
1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
2 Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Abstract
Background: Liver cirrhosis often leads to various cardiovascular complications. Given the protective role of antioxidant agents in cardiovascular diseases, vanillic acid (VA) may play a preventive role due to its antioxidant properties. In this experiment, we examined the effects of VA on the ECG and vascular responses in the knee joints of rats with cholestasis-induced cirrhosis.
 
Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, cirrhosis, cirrhosis + VA, and VA. Liver cirrhosis was induced by chronic (4-week) bile duct ligation (BDL). ECG (lead II) recordings were obtained on the first day and 4 weeks post-surgery. Laser Doppler flowmetry was employed 4 weeks after the surgery to assess blood flow changes in the knee joints of the animals.
 
Results: On the first day, no significant differences were observed in the QRS complex voltage and QTc interval. However, 4 weeks post-BDL induction, the QTc interval significantly increased, while the QRS complex voltage and the blood vessel response decreased in the cirrhosis group. VA was found to have a mitigating effect on these parameters.
 
Conclusions: Cardiovascular complications in cirrhotic patients may result from an increase in free radicals. Therefore, it can be inferred that the reduction in cardiovascular complications observed in the cirrhosis group treated with VA is likely attributable to its antioxidant properties. (Iranian Heart Journal 2024; 25(4): 13-21)
Keywords
Liver cirrhosis
QRS complex voltage
QTc interval
Knee joint vascular responses
Vanillic acid
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Iranian Heart Journal
Volume 25, Issue 4
Autumn 2024
Pages 13-21