Cardiac evaluation after experimental intoxication by Amorimia rigida (Malpighiaceae) extracts in rabbits

Borboleta LR (1), Silva EF (1), Oliveira MS (1), Michel AFRM (2), Ferraz VP (3), Leite RC (1), Melo MM (1)

(1) School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil; (2) Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia State, Brazil; (3) Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Abstract: Clinical and laboratory changes were evaluated in rabbits after intoxication by Amorimia rigida, a plant that causes sudden death. Nine New Zealand male rabbits, averaging 3.54 kg, were categorized into three groups (n = 3) and received, for eight consecutive days, the equivalent of 30 g/kg dry matter of A. rigida water-soluble (SG) and water-insoluble (IG) extracts via nasoesophageal route. The control group received water. There were no alterations in creatine kinase enzyme (CK), CK myocardial fraction (CKMB) or troponine I (cTnI). None of the animals had clinical or electrocardiographic (conventional and Holter) alterations. There were progressive decreases in the left ventricular ejection fraction and systolic fractional shortening. Doppler echocardiography alterations suggested a systolic dysfunction in the SG and IG groups and diastolic dysfunction in IG group. It was concluded that the soluble and insoluble extracts of A. rigida cause deficit of cardiac function.

Key words: toxic plant, Amorimia rigida, cardiac muscle profile, electrocardiography, echocardiography, rabbit.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. Roberto Baracat de Araújo (Federal University of Minas Gerais State, MG, Brazil) and Prof. Dr. Ruthnea A. L. Muzzi (Federal University of Lavras, MG, Brazil) for providing the Holter analysis facilities.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: March 30, 2012.

Accepted: May 28, 2012.

Abstract published online: June 4, 2012.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The authors wish to thank the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for financial support for this project.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Experimentation of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) (CETEA) under the protocol n187/2008, and followed the protocols of the International Society of Toxinology and the Brazilian Society of Science in Laboratory Animals.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Marilia Martins Melo, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30.123-970, Brasil. Phone: +55 31 3409 2229. Fax: +55 31 3409 2230. Email: mariliamm@ufmg.br.