Histological comparison of rat heart after treatment with L-carnitine and L-arginine against cadmium toxicity

The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of L-carnitine and L-arginine on the histological structure of the heart in rats exposed to cadmium chloride. The study includes 20 male rats divided inthetreatmentsof (1) control group, given drinking water and food daily for 21 days, (2) group treated with cadmium chloride as 5mg/kg as 2.5g added into distilled water daily for 21 days, (3) group treated with cadmium chloride as 5mg/kg per day for 21 days and L-carnitine from day eighth as 7.2mg/kg for 14 days, and (4) group treated with cadmium chloride as 5mg/kg for 21 days and L-arginine from day eighth as 7.2mg/kg for 14 days. The results showed the occurrence of many tissue lesions in the heart, represented by the occurrence of necrosis in some cardiac muscle fibers and rupture of the cytoplasm, with disintegration between muscle fibers. Moreover, there is infiltration of macrophages in the connective tissue of the fascia, extensive damage and a lack of connection for many muscle fibers. In addition, there is the occurrence of congestion and hemolysis in the group treated with cadmium chloride, and the group treated with cadmium chloride and L- arginine. A significant improvement is also observed in the group treated with cadmium chloride and L-Carnitine, which is represented by a normal appearance of muscle fiber bundles and Purkinje fibers.