A novel model possible cardiotoxicity associated with administration of Boldenone and Tramadol, alone or in combination in Wistar rats

A risk of cardiotoxicity has been associated with the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and analgesics, several deaths have been attributed to such medications. This study investigates the effects on the heart of AAS; namely, boldenone (BOLD) and opioid analgesics; namely, tramadol (TRAM) given alone or in combination, for the first time. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups; (n = 10). Normal control group, BOLD (5 mg/kg, i.m.) per week, tramadol Hcl (TRAM) (20 mg/kg, i.p.) daily, and a combination of BOLD (5 mg/kg) and TRAM (20 mg/kg), respectively for two months. Those that received BOLD and TRAM alone and in combination showed deteriorated cardiac functions, elevated serum biochemical parameters (AST, CK) and deviations in lipid profiles, elevation in oxidative and inflammatory parameters (MDA, TNF-α & IL-1β) and decrease in GSH, up-regulated cardiac troponin I as well as distorted cardiac histopathological pictures. The current study elucidated the risk of administration of these drugs for sustained periods as well as the marked detrimental effects of using these drugs in combination.