Protective role of antioxidant vitamin E and catechin on idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2002 Nov;35(11):1379-87. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2002001100017.

Abstract

Idarubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic extensively used in acute leukemia. In the present study we investigated whether vitamin E and catechin can reduce the toxic effects of idarubicin. Vitamin E (200 IU kg(-1) week(-1)), catechin (200 mg kg(-1) week(-1)), idarubicin (5 mg kg(-1) week(-1)), idarubicin + vitamin E (200 IU kg(-1) week(-1)), and idarubicin + catechin (200 mg kg(-1) week(-1)) combinations were given to male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 210 to 230 g (N = 6/group). Idarubicin-treated animals exhibited a decrease in body and heart weight, a decrease in myocardial contractility, and changes in ECG parameters (P<0.01). Catechin + idarubicin- and vitamin E + idarubicin-treated groups exhibited similar alterations, but changes were attenuated in comparison to those in cardiac muscle of idarubicin-treated rats (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was reduced in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase levels were decreased in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05) and reached maximum concentrations in the catechin- and catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control (P<0.01). Malondialdehyde activity was decreased in the catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control and increased in the other groups, reaching maximum concentrations in the vitamin E-treated group (P<0.01). In electron microscopy studies, swelling of the mitochondria and dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of myocytes were observed in the idarubicin-treated groups. In groups that were given idarubicin + vitamin E and idarubicin + catechin, the only morphological change was a weak dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We conclude that catechin and vitamin E significantly reduce idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Catechin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart Atria / drug effects
  • Idarubicin / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Myocardial Contraction / drug effects*
  • Myocardium / enzymology
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / ultrastructure
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / drug effects
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antioxidants
  • Drug Combinations
  • Vitamin E
  • Catechin
  • Idarubicin