The Effects of Chronic Administration of Cisplatin on Oxidative Stress in the Isolated Rat Heart

Abstract

Taken into consideration that molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in cardiotoxicity are still not clear the aim of this study was to compare the production of oxidative stress parameters in the isolated rat heart between animals chronically treated with cisplatin and saline. Th e hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n = 24, 12 per group, age 8 weeks, body mass 250±50 g) were excised and perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40-120 cmH2O). We followed the production of superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrites and also index of lipid peroxidation during the changes of coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) (from 40 to 120 cm H2O) in coronary venous effluent. Modifications CPP were performed in order to determined if oxidative stress is involved in coronary endothelium response in conditions of hypoxia (lower than 60 cm H2O) and hyperoxia (higher than 80 cm H2O). Based on the results of this research we can conclude that with enhancement of CPP the values of oxidative stress statistically increased. However, this increment is more prominent in control group as a result of preserved endothelium and its more powerful response to hyperoxia. On the other hand, damaged endothelium of cisplatin-treated animals had weaker response to hyperoxia, and also lower antioxidant capacity.