Rutin Improves Cardiac and Erythrocyte Membrane-Bound ATPase Activities in Male Rats Exposed to Cadmium Chloride and Lead Acetate.

Cardiovascular diseases have been associated with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Impaired Ca2+ and Na+/K+-ATPase activities have also been linked to hemolytic and cardiovascular disorders. This study investigated the effect of rutin on Cd and/or Pb-induced cardiac and erythrocyte disorders in male rats. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats were treated as (n=5): Control, Pb (60 mg/kg, p.o), Cd (5 mg/kg, p.o), Pb + Cd, Rutin + Pb + Cd (50 mg/kg Rt, 60 mg/kg Pb, 5 mg/kg Cd, p.o). Plasma electrolyte and Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPase activities in the erythrocyte and heart of the rats were assayed. There was an increased and decreased activity of cardiac and erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase in Pb- (172%) and Cd- (33.7%) treated groups, respectively. However, rutin increased erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase activity in Cd + Pb when compared with Cd and Cd + Pb groups. Erythrocyte Ca2+-ATPase activity was decreased in the Pb (68%), Cd (68%) and Cd + Pb (55.3%) groups. Cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase activity was not altered in Pb and Cd groups while it decreased in Cd + Pb. Rutin increased the activity of the pump in Cd +Pb-treated rats compared to the Cd+Pb group. Therefore, rutin reversed cadmium- and lead-induced impaired cardiac and erythrocyte membrane Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPase activities. Graphical Abstract Dotted lines-decrease activity, curved lines-increased activity (created with BioRender.com ).