MODULATION OF ADRIAMYCIN-INDUCED CHANGES IN SERUM-FREE FATTY-ACIDS, ALBUMIN AND CARDIAC OXIDATIVE STRESS

Adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathic changes are prevented by combinatio n therapy with probucol. These beneficial effects are suggested to be due to a combination of antioxidant as well as lipid-lowering effects of probucol. In the present study, we compared the effects of probucol (PROB) with that of lovastatin (LOV), a lipid-lowering drug, and trol ox (TRO), an antioxidant, on adriamycin (ADR)-induced subchronic in vi vo changes in serum free fatty acids (FFA), serum albumin and myocardi al reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione in rats. ADR caused a significant increase in FFA, decrease in albumin, and an increase in FFA/aIbumin. PROB and LOV modulated the increases in FFA and FFA/album in, while TRO was without any effect. ADR reduced myocardial GSH, incr eased GSSG and decreased GSH/GSSG. Only PROB caused significant improv ement in GSH and normalized GSSG levels. It is suggested that these mo dulatory effects of probucol may also contribute in the beneficial eff ects of this drug against adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy and conges tive heart failure.