ABSTRACT
Doxorubicin [DOX] is an important anti-neoplastic agent. Cardiotoxicity, which mediated by free radicals, is the main side effect of it, leads to induce left ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the postulated preventive role of alpha-lipoic acid [LA] which is capable of neutralizing a wide variety of free radicals against doxorubicin [DOX]-induced cardiotoxicity. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were randomized into four groups [5 rats! group]. Group I [control] received a single intraperitoneal [IP] injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water. Group II [control LA] received a single IP injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water and LA [100 mg/kg BW!day] orally for 7 days. Group III [Dox-injected group] received a single IP dose of Dox [1 5mg/kg BW in 3 ml of sterile distilled water]. Group IV received LA as in group II for 5 days before and 2 days after DOX injection. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after DOX injection. Specimens from the left ventricle of the heart were processed for histological [H and E; Masson's trichrome] and ultra-structural study. Quantitative measurements [cardiomyocyte diameter and color area percentage of collagen] were done using image analyzer [Super eye-Heidi soft]. Group I and II showed no changes. Light microscopic results of group III showed damage and necrosis of cardiomycytes in addition to congestion and mononuclear cellular infiltration. The cardiomyocytic diameter and the surrounding fibrous tissue were significantly increased in this group compared to other studied groups. Ultrastructural results showed loss of cross striation and mitochondrial degeneration. These deleterious changes were significantly improved in group IV. DOX induced cardiotoxicity can be protected by using LA