Abstract
Raisins were investigated for their protective role on cardiac muscle both biochemically and histopathologically in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed rats. Wister male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): control, raisin-fed, HCD-fed and HCD-raisin fed group. Animals were anaesthetized after 13 weeks. Hearts were dissected and processed for histopathological examination. Raisins administration with HCD significantly decreased the animals' blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein levels; while increased their high density lipoprotein levels compared with rats fed HCD alone. They also decreased cardiomyocytes' degeneration, cellular infiltration, haemorrhages and blood vessels affection. Raisins reduced fibrosis by decreasing the immuno-expression of alpha smooth muscle actin marker, whereas they significantly increased the immuno-expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Raisins showed a cardioprotective effect and were able to alleviate the biochemical and the histopathological changes induced by the HCD. Consumption of raisins or their pharmaceutical product should be recommended specially for those eating a high-fat diet.