Prevention of adriamycin cardiotoxicity by niacin, isocitrate or N-acetyl-cysteine in mice. A morphological study

Pathol Res Pract. 1986 May;181(2):168-74. doi: 10.1016/S0344-0338(86)80006-1.

Abstract

Adriamycin is known to produce treatment limiting cardiotoxicity. We studied the effect of niacin, isocitrate, and N-acetyl-cysteine on cumulative adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in NMRI mice. Pathologic grading of the hearts indicated a significant reduction in myocardial injury. In addition, according to median survival and weight changes there was a significant decrease in toxicity. As demonstrated in Ehrlich ascites tumor, coadministration of N-acetyl-cysteine may interfere with the antitumor activity of adriamycin. In contrast, niacin and isocitrate did not show significant inhibition of antineoplastic activity. Our experiments suggest a promising role of niacin and isocitrate as potential cardioprotectors in the course of chemotherapy with adriamycin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / pathology
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / toxicity*
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Isocitrates / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Niacin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Isocitrates
  • Niacin
  • Doxorubicin
  • isocitric acid
  • Acetylcysteine