The Possible Ameliorative Influence of Quercetin on Cardiac Muscle Changes induced by High Fat Diet in Adult Male Albino Rats: Light and Electron Microscopic Study

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases is a primary health concern. Recent studies have demonstrated that high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity could lead to cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy, fibrosis and even heart failure. Quercetin (Q) is a common nontoxic polyphenol having a broad range of pharmacological and biological activities. The present study aimed at evaluating the histological and ultrastructural effects of high fat diet on cardiac muscle of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of quercetin.Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used and divided into four groups. Group I: Control group (10% of energy from fat). Group II: Quercetin group (10% of energy from fat + 60 mg/kg quercetin). Group III: HFD group (60% of energy from fat). Group IV: HFDQ group (60% of energy from fat + 60 mg/kg quercetin).At the end of experiment after12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed, and hearts were taken and processed for light (H&E and Mallory’s trichrome stains) and electron microscopic examination. Histological, morphometric and statistical studies were performed. Results: Sections from rats of group III showed widely separated cardiomyocytes, some atrophic degenerated fibers, vacuoles in the cytoplasm, engorged capillaries and marked increase in collagen deposition. Electron microscopic examination showed disorganized fragmented myofibrils, few swollen mitochondria and bizarre indented nuclei. Sections from rats of group IV revealed obvious improvement of the previous alterations. There was highly statistically significant difference between group I and group III and between group II and group III as regard collagen area percent. Conclusion: The results obtained from the current study confirmed the negative influence of high fat diet intake on cardiomyocytes. Concomitant administration of quercetin markedly improved myocardial damage so, it could be used as an effective cardioprotective agent against hyperlipidemia and aging insults.