Myocardial Infarction

Alteration in the fine structure of mitochondria is the most prominent transmission electron microscopic images finding in cardiac damage induced by isoproterenol. Isoproterenol administration is characterized by increased mitochondrial swelling disruption of cristae vacuolation and increased size of the mitochondria. Thus fucoidan protects the structure of mitochondria. Treatment with fucoidan (150 mg/kg body weight) in normal rats (Group-II) did not show any significant effect on the biochemical parameters and ultra structure of mitochondria which confirmed the safety assessment of fucoidan. The observed effects in this study are due to quenching free radicals inhibiting lipid peroxidation improving antioxidant system and mitochondrial marker enzyme activities and preventing oxidative stress thereby protecting cardiac mitochondria in myocardial infarcted rats. Transmission electron microscopic study also supports the biochemical findings of the study.