Possible Prophylactic Role of Querctine on Cisplatin-Induced Myocardial Toxicity in Adult Male Albino Rat: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Abstract
Background: Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic
agent used in treatment of solid tumors. Cardiotoxicity is one
of the major side effect frequently observed after administration
of cisplatin. Quercetin, an important dietary flavonoid present
in several fruits and vegetables, exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory
and anti-cancer properties.
Aim of Work: The present work was designed to study
the histological changes in the heart of the adult male albino
rat, following administration of cisplatin and the possible
prophylactic role of querectine.
Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were
used in this study. They were divided into four groups, ten
rats each; Group I (normal control) received nothing, Group < br />II (sham control): Received a daily oral dose of one ml of
normal saline via gastric gavage. Group III (CP): Received
intraperitoneal single injection of cisplatin at 15mg/kg dose
on the eighth day. Group IV: Querectine has been orally
administered at 30mg/kg/day dose for one month beginning
seven days prior to single cisplatin injection. At the end of
experiments the heart was removed, and prepared for light
and electron microscopic studies.
Results: Cisplatin treated animals (Group III) showed
structural changes in the myocardium in the form of focal
lesions in many sections and fragmentation of muscle fibers.
By electron microscopic examination, mitochondria revealed
variability in size and shape, enlargement (ballooning) with
disturbed cristal pattern. Immunohistochemical study of
myocardium of Group III animals stained with anti-a-smooth
muscle actin antibody showed positive immunoreactivity.
Querectine pretreated animals revealed amelioration in histological
alterations in the myocardium when compared to
cisplatin treated group.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that querectine had
a significant effect in protection of the heart against myocardial
histological changes induced by cisplatin.