Aim: The current work aims to demonstrate the potential defensive function of venlafaxine (VLF) in cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin (CP), that could be by modulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase NOX4 pathways.
Main methods: Five groups of rats were used, as follow: three control groups (control, carboxymethyl cellulose, and VLF), CP group got CP once (7 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.), and (CP+ VLF) group got CP once then after 1 h they got VLF {50 mg/kg daily, orally for 14 days}. At the end of the study; electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for anaesthized rats then blood samples and tissues were taken for biochemical and histopathological investigations. Caspase 3, a marker of cellular damage and apoptosis was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Key findings: CP treatment significantly impaired cardiac functions as evidenced by changes in rats' ECG. Cardiac enzymes, renal markers and inflammatory markers were increased with decreased activities of the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Also, ERK1/2 and NOX4 were upregulated with histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations of heart and kidney. While, VLF markedly alleviated CP-induced functional cardiac abnormalities and improved ECG pattern. It reduced both cardiac and renal biomarkers, oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokine with ERK1/2 and NOX4 downregulation, improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes induced by cisplatin in heart and kidney.
Significance: VLF treatment impedes cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by CP. This beneficial effect was mediated through reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by targeting the ERK1/2 and NOX4.
Keywords: Cardiotoxicity; Cisplatin; ECG; ERK1/2; NOX4; Nephrotoxicity; Venlafaxine.
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