DL-α-lipoic acid ameliorates cyclophosphamide induced cardiac mitochondrial injury

Mitochondria play a central role in heart metabolism and function. Administration of antineoplastic drug cyclophosphamide (CP) adversely affects the heart mitochondria which may result in cardiotoxicity. The present study is aimed at evaluating the role of lipoic acid (LA) in CP induced myocardial injury. Male albino rats of Wistar strain were used for the study. CP was administered as a single intraperitoneal injection (200 mg/kg BW). A decrease in the activities of TCA cycle enzymes such as succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase was noted in CP treated rats. Simultaneously there was a decrease in the activities of mitochondrial complexes of electron transport chain. Decrease in the activities of these enzymes suggests a loss in mitochondrial function and integrity. Ultrastuctural observations were also in agreement with the above abnormal changes. Loss of myofilaments and damage of mitochondrial cristae revealed the cytotoxic effect of CP. The supplementation of LA (25 mg/kg BW) restored the above abnormalities to near normalcy. The study brings out the importance of LA in improving the mitochondrial function in cardiac cells after CP administration.