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Objectives: We investigated the morphologic changes showing cardiotoxicity caused by use of the doxorubicin which is an antineoplastic agent, and the protective effect of nicotinamide.
Methods: We assigned thirty Wistar Albino male rats were randomly to four groups: Group 1 (Control) had %0.9 NaCl for 7 days, group 2 had Nicotinamide 200 mg/kg/day for 7 days, group 3 had single dose injection of Doxorubicin (20 mg/kg), group 4 had combination of Doxorubicin and Nicotinamide intraperitoneally. At the end of the experiment, the hearts were removed for light and electron microscopic investigations. We determined the tissue activites of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase.
Results: Control and Nicotinamide rats showed a normal heart tissue morphology. The rats in group 3 exhibited disorganization of the myocardial fibres, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The rats in group 4 displayed a significant decrease in morphological damage, with the disappearance of inflammatory cell infiltration.
Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the use of antioxidants of Nicotinamide may help to reduce Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, thus contributing to clinical applications.