Effect of cisplatin on lipid peroxidation in the whole blood and plasma of female rats

Abstract Aim Cisplatin is known to induce oxidative stress and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are the primary causes of its undesirable side effects. Lipids are a major target of ROS undergoing oxidation upon interaction. Lipid peroxidation products are unstable and degrade into reactive compounds that can damage various biomolecules. Induction of oxidative stress and ROS formation is considered another mechanism of action of cisplatin. This article aims to investigate the effect of cisplatin on lipid peroxidation and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase in whole blood and plasma. Materials and Methods The amount of lipid peroxidation products in blood and plasma of rats was determined by absorption of monochromatic ultraviolet light following extraction with a heptane–isopropyl alcohol mixture. The oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood and plasma was quantified using the thiobarbituric acid assay. Catalase activity in blood plasma of female rats was assessed using the ammonium molybdate method. Results The data show that cisplatin induces significant changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation products, including conjugated dienes and trienes, in both whole blood and plasma of female rats. The oxidation index values calculated for lipid peroxidation products increased to varying degrees following cisplatin exposure. A dramatic increase in MDA concentration was observed in both whole blood and plasma of rats after exposure to cisplatin. In addition, cisplatin exposure resulted in a 55% reduction in catalase activity. Conclusions The results demonstrate that cisplatin promotes oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation level, and reduces catalase activity in blood. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which cisplatin may exert its anticancer effects while also contributing to its side effects.