LEVELS OF SOME LIVER FUNCTION BIOMARKERS IN DOXORUBICIN-INDUCE CARDIOTOXICITY

ABSTRACT

Doxorubicin, obtained from Streptomyces peucetius, has been extensively used as a chemotherapeutic agent. It is an anthracycline antineoplastic drug particularly effective against a variety of cancers. The liver is responsible for digesting fats and removing waste from the body. It also contributes to the production of essential nutrients such as albumin and bile. Doxorubicin, a widely used antibiotic for treating various tumors, has significant side effects that restrict its clinical application. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), marketed as Tecfidera, is a type of fumaric acid primarily broken down by esterase into monomethyl fumarate (MMF).Evidence shows that DMF primarily exerts protective benefits by stimulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway. This study aimed at investigating changes in the levels of some liver function markers in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxic Wistar rats treated with fumarate, with a particular focus on assessing the potential protective effects of fumarate. Thirty-two (32) Wistar rats grouped into control group, doxorubicin administered group, 50 mg/kg fumarate group and 100 mg/kg fumarate group respectively. AST, ALT, ALP, TP, TB, CB, and albumin were assayed using standardized methods. Results showed no significant change (p>0.05) in the levels of liver function bio-markers. This acute study spanned a period of 10days is suggestive of fumarate having no effect on liver biomarkers in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity rats. This outcome may have resulted from the intricate interplay of dose as well as study duration. We recommend longer study durations and altered doses to verify findings.