Interleukin-10 levels in azithromycin-induced cardiac damage and the protective role of combined selenium and vitamin E treatment

Abstract

Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections but is associated with adverse cardiac effects, including oxidative damage and myocardial inflammation. This study aims to explore the histopathological and biochemical changes, including serum interleukin-10 levels, induced by azithromycin in the hearts of male albino rats and to evaluate the protective role of combined selenium and vitamin E treatment. Forty rats were divided into four groups: a control group, an azithromycin treatment group, selenium and vitamin E treatment group, and a combined treatment group receiving both azithromycin, selenium, and vitamin E. Results showed that the azithromycin-treated group exhibited significant increases in interleukin-10 levels, myocardial fibrosis, and cell structure degeneration, while combined selenium and vitamin E treatment markedly reduced these adverse effects, indicating a protective effect. This study concludes that selenium and vitamin E provide a protective effect against azithromycin-induced cardiac toxicity, suggesting that concurrent antioxidant therapy may help safeguard the heart during azithromycin treatment.

Keywords

• Azithromycin
• Heart
• Interleukin-10
• Selenium
• Vitamin E