Cardioprotective Effect of Clarithromycin on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline group antibiotic and has long been used as an antineoplastic agent. The most important side effect that limits the usage of doxorubicin is cardiotoxicity, which is observed at cumulative doses. We investigated the protective effect of clarithromycin that is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against Doxorubicin related cardiotoxicity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of clarithromycin in the antioxidant enzyme status and myocardium of doxorobucine-treated rats. A total of 28 adult, male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into 4 groups. Group I was the control group, rats in group 2 were administered doxorubicin, rats in group 3 were administered clarithromycin, and rats in group 4 were administered Doxorubicin + Clarithromycin. Following the scarification of all rats, antioxidant (glutathione) and oxidant (malodialdehyde) levels were measured in the cardiac tissue. Additionally, the cardiac muscles were evaluated histopathologically via hematoxylin eosin staining. The antioxidant amount (glutathione) was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the doxorubicin group (p= 0.025), whereas the amount of oxidant (malondialdehyde) was significantly lower (p= 0.022). The histopathological examination revealed significant cardiotoxicity in the Doxorubicin group and significant reduction in the cardiotoxicity in the Doxorubicin + Clarithromycin group. The results obtained in this study provide evidence for the usefulness of the clarithromycin as a cardioprotective agent.