Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model
Doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used in several chemotherapies to treat various cancers, but it is known to cause cardiotoxicity and cardiac symptoms. Autonomic dysfunction is thought to contribute to the cardiotoxic effects of DOX, but the specific dose required to disrupt homeostatic processes is st...
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1031 |
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| author | Ana I. Afonso Ângela Amaro-Leal Filipa Machado Isabel Rocha Vera Geraldes |
| author_facet | Ana I. Afonso Ângela Amaro-Leal Filipa Machado Isabel Rocha Vera Geraldes |
| author_sort | Ana I. Afonso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used in several chemotherapies to treat various cancers, but it is known to cause cardiotoxicity and cardiac symptoms. Autonomic dysfunction is thought to contribute to the cardiotoxic effects of DOX, but the specific dose required to disrupt homeostatic processes is still unclear and is influenced by numerous factors. This study aimed to investigate how the DOX dosage affects autonomic function and physiological parameters, to elucidate the neurocardiac mechanisms underlying the observed cardiovascular side effects. Wistar rats were treated with DOX for four weeks and divided into three dosing groups: DOX8 (2 mg/kg/week), DOX16 (4 mg/kg/week), and DOX20 (5 mg/kg/week). A control group received NaCl 0.9% saline (1 mL/kg/week). In an acute experiment, we recorded blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RF). Baroreflex gain and chemoreflex sensitivity were calculated, and cardiac tissue was analyzed with picrosirius histochemistry to measure collagen content. Our results showed that the LF/HF ratio, indicative of autonomic activity, was altered along with hypotension and bradycardia at a cumulative DOX dose threshold of 16 mg/kg. We observed a positive correlation between DOX dose and BP, HR, urinary norepinephrine, LF/HF ratio, and fibrotic heart area. Lower LF/HF ratios were associated with high DOX doses, reflecting drug-induced impairment of autonomic control of HR. This study provides valuable insights into the dose-dependent effects of DOX on physiological parameters and the development of cardiovascular dysfunction. These findings are critical, which is important for optimizing the management and therapeutic strategies for patients undergoing DOX-based chemotherapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:16:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9bd6dc3242db4c9da80fc7ee0ccf16df |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:16:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9bd6dc3242db4c9da80fc7ee0ccf16df2023-11-18T18:24:37ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372023-07-01127103110.3390/biology12071031Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat ModelAna I. Afonso0Ângela Amaro-Leal1Filipa Machado2Isabel Rocha3Vera Geraldes4Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, PortugalCardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, PortugalCardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, PortugalCardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, PortugalCardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, PortugalDoxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used in several chemotherapies to treat various cancers, but it is known to cause cardiotoxicity and cardiac symptoms. Autonomic dysfunction is thought to contribute to the cardiotoxic effects of DOX, but the specific dose required to disrupt homeostatic processes is still unclear and is influenced by numerous factors. This study aimed to investigate how the DOX dosage affects autonomic function and physiological parameters, to elucidate the neurocardiac mechanisms underlying the observed cardiovascular side effects. Wistar rats were treated with DOX for four weeks and divided into three dosing groups: DOX8 (2 mg/kg/week), DOX16 (4 mg/kg/week), and DOX20 (5 mg/kg/week). A control group received NaCl 0.9% saline (1 mL/kg/week). In an acute experiment, we recorded blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RF). Baroreflex gain and chemoreflex sensitivity were calculated, and cardiac tissue was analyzed with picrosirius histochemistry to measure collagen content. Our results showed that the LF/HF ratio, indicative of autonomic activity, was altered along with hypotension and bradycardia at a cumulative DOX dose threshold of 16 mg/kg. We observed a positive correlation between DOX dose and BP, HR, urinary norepinephrine, LF/HF ratio, and fibrotic heart area. Lower LF/HF ratios were associated with high DOX doses, reflecting drug-induced impairment of autonomic control of HR. This study provides valuable insights into the dose-dependent effects of DOX on physiological parameters and the development of cardiovascular dysfunction. These findings are critical, which is important for optimizing the management and therapeutic strategies for patients undergoing DOX-based chemotherapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1031doxorubicin dosageautonomic nervous systemHRVphysiological parameters |
| spellingShingle | Ana I. Afonso Ângela Amaro-Leal Filipa Machado Isabel Rocha Vera Geraldes Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model Biology doxorubicin dosage autonomic nervous system HRV physiological parameters |
| title | Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model |
| title_full | Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model |
| title_fullStr | Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model |
| title_short | Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model |
| title_sort | doxorubicin dose dependent impact on physiological balance a holistic approach in a rat model |
| topic | doxorubicin dosage autonomic nervous system HRV physiological parameters |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1031 |
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