EFFECTS OF INGESTION OF POLYPHENOLS: QUERCETIN, GALLIC ACID AND RESVERATROL ON THE CARDIAC MORPHOLOGY OF WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Polyphenols are substances with anti-inflammatory action that present cardioprotective activity. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze and compare the effects of polyphenols consumption (quercetin, gallic acid, and resveratrol) in isolated and associated forms, on morphological variables related to cardiac hypertrophy in Wistar rats. The sample consisted of 58 Wistar rats, divided into control (n=12), quercetin (n=12), gallic acid (n=11), resveratrol (n=11), and the associated polyphenols (n=12) groups. The dosages used for each group were: quercetin (30 mg/kg/day), gallic acid (30 mg/kg/day), resveratrol (15 mg/kg/day), associated polyphenols (75 mg/kg/day). The administration of the substances was performed by gavage. After the end of the interventions the animals were euthanized. The hearts were removed for weighing, and then dissected, separating the atria and ventricles, to measure cardiac remodeling. The Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, and U-Mann Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. The alpha level of significance adopted was p<0.05. The results of the study demonstrated that the associated administration of polyphenols (quercetin, gallic acid, and resveratrol) caused cardiac hypertrophy in the animals in the absolute weight of the hearts, and in the weight of the atria, when compared to the isolated intake of polyphenols.