PREVENTION OF DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY BY CATECHIN

Doxorubicin (dox) is an anthracycline antibiotic which is broadly used in solid tumors, Long-term therapy with this drug is accompanied by p otentially lethal, dose-dependent side effects. Several reports sugges t that oxygen free radicals produced during the metabolic activation o f dox may have toxic effects on heart muscle. We tried to protect dox cardiotoxicity in rats using catechin which is a known antioxidant and iron chelating agent. Different dose levels and combinations of catec hin and doxorubicin have been studied in different experimental groups . Electrocardiograms, myocardial contractility, body weight and the el ectron microscope were used to assess the cardioprotective effect of c atechin in dox-treated animals, We found significant prevention of dox -induced cardiotoxicity by catechin in rats.