Introduction: Most chronic liver diseases lead to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy that occurs as a late complication in 56% of the hepatic patients. Propolis is considered as a tonic that increases the body resistance to aging. It also decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Aim of the work: was to study the possible protective role of propolis on the histological changes occurred in cardiac muscle secondary to liver fibrosis.
Materials and Methods: 40 healthy male albino rats were randomly divided into 4groups including: control group (group I), propolis treated group (group II) given 20mg propolis once daily orally for 4 weeks, (group III) received 0.2 ml/100 gm carbon tetrachloride by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks and (group IV) received both carbon tetrachloride and propolis at the same dose of group IIand III for the same period. At the end of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed, and cardiac muscle was obtained and processed for light and electron microscopic examination.
Results: Group III revealed widely separated cardiomyocytes with excessive connective tissue nuclei between them. Cytoplasmic vacuolations and marked fibrillolysis were observed. Cellular infiltration and dilated blood vessels were found. Excessive collagen fibers were detected by Mallory stain. Ultrastructural changes included irregular sarcomeres, interrupted intercalated disks, degenerated mitochondria and dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Group IV showed partial improvement with regular arrangement of cardiac fibers and sarcomeres.
Conclusions: Use of propolis partially improved the histological changes that occurred in the cardiac muscle as a result of liver fibrosis.