The Effects of Quercetin on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats

Abstract Cyclophosphamide (CYP), an anticarcinogenic agent, is widely used in the chemotherapy. At high doses of the CYP causes fatal cardiomyopathy with acute cardiotoxicity. Our aim in this study investigations effects of quercetin (Q) on CYP-induced cardiotoxicity. In the present study used fifty piece Sprague Dawley male (250 ± 50 gr) rats. Rats were divided randomly to five group (n = 10). The control group was given intragastric (ig) corn oil (1 ml) for seven days. The CYP group rats were applicate ig corn oil for seven days and injected intraperitoneal (ip) a single dose of CYP 200 mg/kg on the seventh day. The groups Q50 + CYP and Q100 + CYP, respectively, were given Q in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg dissolved in corn oil and administered ig for seven days. In addition, these groups were given single dose of CYP (200 mg/kg, ip) on the seventh days of application Q. The Q100 group was given Q (100 mg/kg-i.g) for seven days. In the end experimental applications, the blood was collected from anesthetized rats and rats were sacrificed. Serum was separated by centrifugation and utilized for the evaluation of various cardiac enzymes (CK, CK-MB, LDH, AST, ALT). The cardiac tissues used for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The data were analyzed by Tukey test in the one-way ANOVA. When data are showed compared among groups from the point of view aortic and vascular tissues, MDA level was significantly higher in the CYP group compared with control group, and determined to be decreased in CYP + Q100 group. SOD and GSH levels were significantly decreased in the CYP group compared to the control and CYP + Q100 groups. AST, CK, CK-MB, ALT and LDH levels in the serum were significantly increased in the CYP group compared with the other groups. The histopathological examination of cardiac tissue determined in the CYP group had significantly degenerated cells and cardiac myofibril. Intensity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) and beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) positivity was higher in the CYP group sections compared to the control and CYP + Q100 groups sections. Both biochemical results and immunohistochemical evidence showed that Q has protective effects on CYP-induced cardiotoxicity.