Effects of Thymoquinone Alone or in Combination with Losartan on the Cardiotoxicity Caused by Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Dietary cholesterol accelerates oxidative and pro-inflammatory processes, causing hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to compare the protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) alone or in combination with losartan (LT) against the heart damage caused by a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). HCD-fed rat groups revealed an elevated activity of indicators of cardiac enzymes in the serum. Serum and cardiac lipids were also found to be significantly higher in HCD-fed rat groups. Cardiac pro-inflammatory and oxidative markers were also increased in HCD-fed rat groups, whereas antioxidant indicators were decreased. However, all of these biochemical, inflammatory, antioxidant, and oxidative change indicators returned to levels similar to those of normal rats after treatment with TQ alone or in combination with LT administered to HCD-fed rat groups. Hypercholesterolemia considerably induced the lipid peroxidation product, thiobarbituric acid reaction substances (TBARs), and oxidative radicals in cardiac cells, which were attenuated by QT and LT treatments, particularly when combined. Finally, QT, LT, and their combination were able to reduce the histological changes changes brought on by cholesterol excess in cardiac tissues. In conclusion, administration of TQ in a combination with LT which has a better protective effect, significantly reduced the hypercholesterolemic-induced oxidative and inflammatory changes that occurred in cardiac tissue.

"Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Relation to Chronic Diseases"

“…Vitamin D deficiency is assumed to be one of the early stages of metabolic disorders having an impact on CVD. In particular, hypertension due to renin-angiotensin system disorder, hyperlipidemia, especially increased low-density lipoproteins (LDL), hyperglycemia in diabetic patients and increased inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers are some of the mechanisms probably connecting vitamin D deficiency and CVD [17]. Haybar et al concluded that vitamin insufficiency is related to decreased coronary flow, which impairs endothelial function and promotes atherosclerosis [18].…”

Assessment of vitamin D levels in correlation with coronary CT angiography results in a Slovak Population

“…2 Inflammatory alterations, osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and endothelial dysfunction are among the crucial factors associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, all of which are either directly or indirectly influenced by vitamin D. 3 Numerous studies have investigated the correlation between vitamin D status and various aspects of cardiovascular disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or fatal events associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). 4,5 In light of these findings, there is a growing call for heightened attention to the potential role of vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for CAD. Nevertheless, the existing evidence remains inconclusive due to conflicting reports in the literature, with some supporting and others opposing this concept.…”