Comorbid Cholesterol (2%) Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis and Isoproterenol Hydrochloride Induced Myocardial Infarction

Cardiovascular diseases remain a primary cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction playing significant roles. Using a rabbit model, this experimental investigation aimed to explore the combined effects of coexisting conditions, specifically a 2% cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerosis and isoproterenol hydrochloride-induced myocardial infarction. New Zealand white rabbits were utilized for this study, leveraging their metabolic similarity to humans, which has been pivotal in lipid-lowering drug research. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits have notably contributed to the discovery of statins, the primary treatment for hyperlipidemic patients worldwide. After 12 weeks of treatment, rabbits subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) and Isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) exhibited significant increases in cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and other atherogenic markers compared to normal rabbits. In contrast, Spirulina treatment (33 mg/kg B.wt/66 mg/kg b.wt.) markedly reduced cholesterol, TG, VLDL, LDL, and improved high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels while enhancing cardiac antioxidant activity. Our findings underscore Spirulina’s potential in alleviating diet and ISO-induced atherosclerosis and cardiac toxicity, suggesting its promise for preventing atherosclerosis-associated cardiac injury in patients.