Antioxidant properties of fullerenol C60(OH)24 in rat kidneys, testes, and lungs treated with doxorubicin

Abstract

Clinical use of doxorubicin continues to be challenged by its undesirable systematic toxicity, caused mainly by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of fullerenol C60(OH)24 polyanion nanoparticles, an antioxidant agent, against doxorubicin-induced nephro-, testicular, and pulmonary toxicity. Results obtained in vitro suggest that fullerenol's anti-proliferative property and protective effect against doxorubicin cytotoxicity are mediated by the antioxidative and radical scavenging activity. Male Wistar rats were divided into five treatment groups: the control group (I) received 0.9% NaCl (1mL/kg, i.p.). Groups II, III, IV, and V received a single dose of doxorubicin (10mg/kg i.p.), doxorubicin/fullerenol (100 and 50mg/kg i.p. of fullerenol 30min prior to 10mg/kg i.p. of doxorubicin), and fullerenol (100mg/kg i.p.), respectively. On the 2nd and 14 th days, organ samples were taken for the measurement of lipid peroxidation and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-peroxidase,-reductase, and-transferase. Doxorubicin induced a significant increase of lipid peroxidation and alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities, while the fullerenol pre-treatment prevented the effects of doxorubicin on investigated parameters. Fullerenol, applied alone, did not alter basal values of the investigated animals. Considering the mechanisms of doxorubicin toxicity, it can be concluded that fullerenol exerts its protective role by acting as a free radical sponge and/or by removing free iron through formation of fullerenol-iron complex. Results of this study support the hypothesis of testicular, pulmo-, and nephroprotective efficacy of fullerenol in preventing oxidative stress induced by doxorubicin. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd.