The effect of ankaferd blood stopper on damage caused in vascular structures of rats given cadmium

Objective: In our study, we aimed to show the effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) against the damage caused by cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the vessels, especially in the endothelial tissue in rats. Materials and Methods: In our study, a total of 32 Wistar Albino male rats weighing 350-450 gr were used. Control, Cd, ABS, Cadmium+ABS groups were formed with 8 rats in each group (n=8). Ml of physiological saline, 0.5 ml of CdCl2 to the Cd group, 0.5 ml of ABS to the ABS group, and 0.5 ml of CdCl2+ABS to the Cd+ABS group were administered intraperitoneally. After 6 hours, the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia and their vascular tissues were taken for histopathological studies and their blood was taken for biochemical analysis. Histological tissue follow-ups were performed and histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings were performed. Results: As a result of histopathological examinations at the end of our study, no histopathological findings were found in the aortic tissue of the rats belonging to the control group. Similar to the control group, histopathological findings were very rare in the ABS group, and hemorrhage and increased mononuclear cell infiltration were observed only in the vascular structures. As a result of the examination of the aortic tissues of the Cd group, mononuclear cell infiltration, endothelial cell damage, congestion and hemorrhage in the vessels, damage to smooth muscles and elastic fibers were detected and it was found to be significantly compared to the control and ABS groups (p<0.005). As a result of the examination of the preparations of the Cd+ABS group, significant reductions were observed in the findings of mononuclear cell infiltration, endothelial cell damage, damage to smooth muscles and elastic fibers compared to the Cd group. As a result of immunohistochemical examinations, eNOS, TNF-α and E-cadherin stainings were found to be negative as a result of the stainings of the control and ABS groups. It was determined that they were different in terms of terms and their synthesis was high (p<0.005). It was observed that especially eNOS and TNF-α synthases increased considerably. As a result of the evaluation and examination of the immunohistochemical staining of the preparations belonging to the Cd+ABS group, it was determined that the eNOS, TNF-α and E-cadherin synthases were decreased compared to the Cd group. eNOS and TNF-α levels were also found to be statistically significantly decreased (p<0.005). In the biochemical analysis part of our study, oxidative stress parameters were studied. The TT and NT values in the blood of the rats in the CD group were significantly decreased compared to the control group (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). Total thiol (TT) and native thiol (NT) values increased significantly in the ABS treated groups compared to the Cd group (p=0.041 and p=0.020, respectively). It was determined that there was no significant change in disulfide bond levels. Conclusion: As a result, we showed that Cd causes damage to the vascular tissue of rats, and ABS protects the tissues from this damage. We hope that our study will contribute to the treatment or protection of individuals exposed to Cd toxicity. Keywords: Cadmium, Ankaferd Blood Stopper, Endothelium, Toxicicity.