Effect of Amlodipine on Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation in Rabbits Receiving High Cholesterol Diet

Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between the free radical production and antioxidant defense systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of amlodipine on antioxidant defense in an animal model of atherosclerosis. Methods and Materials: Thirty six male News land white rabbits were divided into four groups (9 in each group): normal control group (C), normal group receiving amlodipine (Am), high-cholesterol diet groups with and without amlodipine treatment (Cho+Am,Cho). After 8 weeks all animals in each group were scarified after anesthesia and blood and heart tissue samples were colleted. The levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in groups of high-cholesterol diet were increased significantly (P<0.01) comparison with control group [(C: 49.1±0.6; Cho: 860.3±0.06; Cho+Am: 524.5±5.8), (C: 95.5±1.7; Cho: 446.6±2.5; Cho+Am: 138.6±1.8) respectively].High cholesterol diet reduced super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxides (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities no significantly compared with control and amlodipine administration increased them significantly (P< 0/01) [(C:2.04±0.16; Cho: 1.94±0.19; Am: 3.11 ±0.24; Cho+Am: 2.94±0.13), (C:356±26; Cho: 264±22; Am: 469 ±24; Cho+Am: 458±31), (C:0.24±0.01; Cho: 0.22±0.03; Am: 0.32 ±0.04; Cho+Am: 0.34±0.04)]. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased significantly in high cholesterol diet rabbits compared with control. Amlodipine consumption caused significant reduction (P<0/01) in the MDA level [(C: 8.71±0.8; Cho: 14.38±1.1; Am: 8.63 ±0.6; Cho+Am: 11.18±1.4)] Amlodipine treatment by enhancing of antioxidant enzymes and reducing of MDA level in heart tissue has beneficial effects in prevention of the atherosclerotic symptoms and tissue injuries caused by oxidation stress produced in atherosclerosis.