Effect of preoperative intake of plant-based or animal-based protein and lipid on myocardial protection in rats undergoing cardiac surgery

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in the world. These diseases are closely related to our dietary habits. Plant-based Diet(PBD) is a type of nutrition that has more and more beneficial effects. In most cardiac surgical procedures applied in the treatment of cardiac diseases, the cardioplegic arrest is performed for myocardial protection. However, myocardial damage can occur. In our study, we investigated the effect of dietary protein and lipid sources on the myocardial protection in cardiac surgery applications. Material and Method: Two groups of rats (n = 8) were fed on plant-based(PBD) or animalbased diet. Soy protein and palm oil in plant-based nutrition; Casein protein and milk fat were used in animal nutrition(ABD). Rats were fed for 12 weeks. Weights were measured in the fourth and eighth weeks. LDL-C, HDL-C, TC levels, which show lipid profile at eighth and 12th weeks, were evaluated. At the end of the 12th week, in accordance with the open cardiac surgical procedure, the aorta was clamped in the rats and the heart was arrested by crystalloid cardioplegia. After reperfusion with blood cardioplegia at tenth minute, the heart was resected and protected at -80°C. Malondialdehyde(MDA), Bax, Bcl-2, Protein Carbonyl, Glutathione(GSH), Hsp-70 levels were examined by ELISA method from the left heart myocardium. Results: There was no significant difference in cholesterol levels and weights between the groups. PBD provided stronger antiapoptotic activity with higher Bcl-2 level (p <0.005). MDA, Bax, Hsp-70, GSH, Protein Carbonyl levels did not provide statistical significance despite the average / median values were in favor of PBD(p> 0.05). Conclusion: PBD provides stronger antiapopitotic activity in cardiac surgery applications. No difference was observed in lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation caused by I/R damage.and antioxidant capacity effects. Average values that support PBD in our study may be statistically significant with studies to be carried out with a larger sample size. With a longer feeding time, the dietary effect may be more obvious. Different effects can be observed with studies in which red meat or processed meats with higher atherosclerotic potential occupying an important place in the omnivorous diet are used as protein sources.