Cardioprotective effects of the garlic (Allium sativum) in sodium fluoride-treated rats

Background: Excessive intake of fluoride may result in the development of cardiotixicity in the rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible cardioprotective effect of the garlic (G) on sodium fluoride (NaF)-treated rats. Methods: Twenty-four male albino rats (100-120 g), 2 months old, were equally divided into control, NaF, G, and NaF + G groups. Group 1 was control group, the animals without any treatment. Group 2 was administrated with NaF orally (10 mg/kg BWT) daily. Group 3 received orally G alone (63 mg/kg BWT) daily. Group 4 was administrated with NaF + G at the same time (with the same previous doses) daily. The experimental period was for 4 weeks. Results: NaF significantly elevated the levels of serum creatinine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Aalanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Also, there was a significant increase in the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TAG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) fractions, and the atherogenic effect (the mean ratios of TC/LDL-c and LDL-c/ (high-density lipoprotein) HDL-c), whereas a significant decrease in HDL-c occurred in the NaF-treated group compared with the control animals. The treatment with G+NaF ameliorated all the biochemical parameters tested. Conclusion: These results indicate that garlic has a cardioprotective effect against NaF cardiotoxicity.