Effects of Doxorubicin Administration at Different Doses and Durations on the Body Weight of Rats

This study examines the impact of varying doses of Doxorubicin (DOX) on body weight in rats, with a focus on the drug's cachexia-inducing properties. While DOX is a widely used anticancer drug, it is associated with significant side effects, including cardiotoxicity and cachexia, which occur through mechanisms such as reduced insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose uptake, and decreased adipogenesis. In this study, 12-week-old male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), low-dose DOX (DOX-L, 3 mg/kg), high-dose DOX (DOX-H, 12 mg/kg), and cumulative-dose DOX (DOX-C, 3 mg/kg every 24 hours for 4 days). The rats' weights were measured after administering various doses of DOX. Results indicated that the DOX-H group, which received a single high dose of DOX, experienced greater body weight loss compared to the other groups. The DOX-C group, which received the same total dose of DOX in cumulative doses, showed less weight loss compared to the DOX-H group. This suggests that single high-dose DOX applications lead to more significant body weight loss than cumulative dosing. The similarity in body weight loss between the DOX-L group (receiving a single low dose) and the control group indicates that DOX dosage is more influential than exposure duration. Given the potential for DOX to exacerbate cachexia in cancer patients, it is concluded that administering DOX in lower or cumulative doses may be preferable to a single high dose. In light of this information, we recommend further studies to determine the optimal dosage and duration of DOX administration, and to explore potential protective agents that could reduce DOX-related side effects on treatment.