Effect of squalene on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity.
BACKGROUND
Toxicity due to drugs used for neoplastic disorders is extensively documented. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is a widely used antineoplastic drug, which could cause toxicity of normal cells due to its toxic metabolites. We evaluated the protective role of squalene (SQ) in the toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide.


METHODS
The activities of serum marker enzymes, clinical chemistry parameters and histopathology studies were done according to the standard procedures in the control and experimental groups of rats.


RESULTS
Toxicity of the organs like heart, kidney and liver was evidenced from significant (P<0.05) increases of CK, LDH, AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine and total bilirubin in cyclophosphamide- (150 mg/kg for 2 days) administered rats. Abnormal activities of these enzymes in the organs and serum total protein and cholesterol were also observed. No significant changes were observed in triglycerides in serum. Squalene oral treatment exerted protection towards these organs at a dose of 0.4 ml/day/rat. Histopathological examinations also confirmed the protective efficacy of squalene.


CONCLUSIONS
Squalene may be efficacious as a cytoprotectant in cyclophosphamide-induced toxicities.
Senthilkumar
Subramanian
S
Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600025, India.
Devaki
Thiruvengadam
T
Manohar
Bhakthavatchalam Murali
BM
Babu
Munismay Suresh
MS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013185:Squalene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D014280:Triglycerides; D013185:Squalene; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002784:Cholesterol; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase