Zinc in Alkaline Water (Zamzam) Ameliorates Doxorubicin induced Cardiac Remodeling

Abstract

The holy Zamzam water is believed to be beneficial in curing several diseases. Studies report that its alkaline nature renders it a therapeutic potential. We aimed to determine the effect of Zamzam water in doxorubicin induced cardiac remodeling in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6) for 28 days of experimental protocol. Group-1 served as normal control (NC), group 2 as doxorubicin control (DC), group 3 as doxorubicin+ Zamzam treatment (DZ) and group 4 as Zamzam control (ZZ). Doxorubicin (1mg/ kg bw) was injected i.p. in DC and DZ groups on first day of study. NC and DC groups were at normal bottled water p.o., while DZ and ZZ groups received Zamzam water p.o. for 28 days. At the end of protocol, the animals were sacrificed, heart preserved, and blood collected for biochemical estimations. Serum levels of cardiac biomarkers, CRP, Fibrinogen, BUN and creatinine increased, while zinc, IL-10 and angiotensin levels decreased significantly in DC as compared to NC. Interestingly, renin level also decreased in DC group. Heart tissues from each group were examined for histological changes. Altered serum levels of the biomarkers were restored on treatment with Zamzam water. Histopathological studies are in agreement with cardioprotective influence of Zamzam in cardiac dysfunction. Research findings endorse the cardioprotective potential of Zamzam in doxorubicin induced cardiac remodeling. We attributed this effect to the presence of zinc in alkaline medium of Zamzam.