Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, has many toxic effects on different organs, especially the heart and brain that have greater demands for oxygen. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on apoptosis after CO poisoning in rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed to CO 1500 or 3000ppm for 60min. Single and multiple doses of G-CSF (10, 50, and 100g/kg) were administered to animals. After CO poisoning, carboxyhemoglobin concentration was measured, apoptotic cells were evaluated by TUNEL assay and caspase 3 activity was determined by immunofluorescence. Blood levels of carboxyhemoglobin significantly increased following exposure to both 1500 and 3000ppm concentrations of CO. However, carboxyhemoglobin levels were significantly higher following exposure to CO 3000ppm compared to CO 1500ppm (p<0.05). Differences in caspase 3 activity between G-CSF and control groups were significant and G-CSF could decrease apoptosis following CO 3000ppm poisoning (p<0.001). TUNEL assay showed that in rats treat with 5 doses of G-CSF 100g/kg, apoptosis was significantly ameliorated compared to control rats and sham (rats that were not exposed to CO) group (p<0.05). Concerning caspase 3 activity and apoptosis rate, the best results were found in rats exposed to 3000ppm and treated with G-CSF 100g/kg. In this study, we confirmed that CO poisoning leads to cardiomyocytes apoptosis which could be significantly reduced by G-CSF treatment.