Prevention of amiodarone-induced cardiac toxicity in male BALB/c mice by a nutrient mixture

Abstract

Amiodarone (Amio), a potent anti-arrhythmic drug, is associated with life-threatening pulmonary toxicity involving fibroses and inflammation. A unique nutrient mixture (NM) consisting of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, N-acetyl cysteine and green tea extract has previously been shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological, therapeutic, cardiovascular and chemopreventive properties. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the NM exhibits preventive effects on Amio-induced cardiac toxicity. Six-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into four groups (A–D) of six animals per group. Mice in groups A and C were fed a regular diet for three weeks, while the diets of the mice in groups B and D were supplemented with 1% NM during that period. After three weeks, the mice in groups C and D received daily Amio injections of 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for 4 days, whilst those in groups A and B received saline alone. At 24 h after the final dose, mice were sacrificed, blood was withdrawn and serum was collected for clinical chemistry of the heart enzymes creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). In addition, livers, kidneys, hearts and lungs were excised and weighed. No significant differences in weight gain were identified among the groups and liver, kidney, heart and lung weights were comparable in all four groups. Administration of Amio to group C resulted in a significant increase in serum CPK levels, whereas in NM-fed group D, the CPK levels were comparable to those in the saline injection groups, A and B. Amio administration also resulted in a significant increase in serum AST levels in group C, but not in the group D animals which exhibited similar levels to those of groups A and B. Therefore, the results indicate that NM has the potential to protect against Amio-induced cardiac toxicity.

A Nutrient Mixture Inhibits MMP Secretion, Invasion, Growth, and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Tongue Cancer Cell Line SC-255

“…Similar protection was also observed when NM was tested against pulmonary and cardiac toxicity induced by Amiodarone, a commonly used anti-arrhythmic agent. Amiodarone is associated with life threatening pulmonary toxicity involving fibrosis and inflammation [32]. These findings suggest that the NM is not only safe, but it also prevents protects vital organs from drug toxicities.…”

Exploring Innovative Leishmaniasis Treatment: Drug Targets from Pre‐Clinical to Clinical Findings

“…Amiodarone caused the formation of autophagosomes, and the presence of lipid bodies and vacuoles in the cytoplasm could be observed. However, the long duration or the administration of high doses of amiodarone have been reported to cause toxicity in several organs [69–73] …”