P1584Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Acai palm) attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug, successfully used for years, may induce cardiotoxicity. It is important to identify strategies to minimize this side effect. Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Acai) fruit possesses high antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiotoxicity prevention after Acai administration. Methods: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were allocated into 4 groups: control (C), Acai (A), doxorubicin (D) and Acai-doxorubicin (DA). Rats received regular rat chow (C and D groups) or rat chow supplemented with 5% Acai (A and DA groups) for 4 weeks. Rats then received doxorubicin 20 mg/kg, i.p. (D and DA groups), or saline (C and A groups). Euthanasia was performed 48 hours after doxorubicin injection. Results: Doxorubicin decreased body weight and food and water ingestion. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed increased left atrium and left ventricular (LV) systolic diameters and decreased LV fractional shortening in doxorubicin treated rats. In isolated heart preparations, +dP/dt and -dP/dt were lower in doxorubicin than control rats. Doxorubicin increased myocardial lipid hydroperoxide concentration, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity, phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and decreased β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, complex I, complex II, and ATP synthase activity. Acai supplementation improved left atrium diameter, LV fractional shortening, β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase, complex II, and ATP synthase enzymatic activity, and decreased myocardial lipid hydroperoxide concentration and MMP-2 activity. Nitric oxide metabolite concentrations did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Doxorubicin-induced left ventricular dysfunction, myocardial oxidative stress, metabolic changes, and MMP-2 activation are attenuated by Acai supplementation.