Cardioprotective effects of amiodarone in a rat model of epilepsy‐induced cardiac dysfunction

Abstract

Cardiac dysfunction is one of the leading causes of death in epilepsy. The anti‐arrhythmic drug, amiodarone, is under investigation for its therapeutic effects in epilepsy. We aimed to evaluate the possible effects of amiodarone on cardiac injury during status epilepticus, as it can cause prolongation of the QT interval. Five rat groups were enrolled in the study; three control groups (1) Control, (2) Control‐lithium and (3) Control‐Amio, treated with 150 mg/kg/intraperitoneal amiodarone, (4) Epilepsy model, induced by sequential lithium/pilocarpine administration, and (5) the epilepsy‐Amio group. The model group expressed a typical clinical picture of epileptiform activity confirmed by the augmented electroencephalogram alpha and beta spikes. The anticonvulsive effect of amiodarone was prominent, it diminished (p < 0.001) the severity of seizures and hence, deaths and reduced serum noradrenaline levels. In the model group, the electrocardiogram findings revealed tachycardia, prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval, depressed ST segments and increased myocardial oxidative stress. The in‐vitro myocardial performance (contraction force and – (df/dt)max) was also reduced. Amiodarone decreased (p < 0.001) the heart rate, improved ST segment depression, and myocardial contractility with no significant change in the duration of the QTc interval. Amiodarone preserved the cardiac histological structure and reduced the myocardial injury markers represented by serum Troponin‐I, oxidative stress and IL‐1. Amiodarone pretreatment prevented the anticipated cardiac injury induced during epilepsy. Amiodarone possessed an anticonvulsive potential, protected the cardiac muscle and preserved its histological architecture. Therefore, amiodarone could be recommended as a protective therapy against cardiac dysfunction during epileptic seizures with favourable effect on seizure activity.

The effect of astaxanthin on amiodarone induced cardiac tissue damage in rat

“…Samarendra et al reported that amiodarone could cause prolonged QT interval and torsade de pointes 6 . Harb et al designed a study to assess the the effect of amiodarone on cardiac injury during status epilepticus and they reported that amiodarone treatment prevented the cardiac tissue damage due to epilepsy 7 . However, there is still conflict about the protective effect of amiodarone on cardiac tissue.…”

Nicorandil mitigates amiodarone‐induced pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis in association with the inhibition of lung TGF‐β1/PI3K/Akt1‐p/mTOR axis in rats

“…It is the drug of choice in treating both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias 1 . Recently, AMIO pharmacological benefits are being examined, wherein its anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects are under investigation 2,3 . Prolonged oral dose load may be required to achieve AMIO efficacy, which may predispose to serious side effects, including pulmonary toxicity 4 .…”