Histological and flow cytometric evaluation of astaxanthin’s effects against cyclophosphamide induced heart injury in rats

In this study, the protective effect of astaxanthin (AST) against cyclophosphamide (CP) induced adult rat heart damage was investigated. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 groups as Group 1: control, Group 2: cyclophosphamide and Group 3: cyclophosphamide + astaxanthin. The CP group, received a 200 mg/kg single dose intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of CP on the seventh day of the experiment, while the control group received no treatment. For CP+AST group 25 mg/kg/day AST administered by oral gavage on days 1-7 and on the 7th day 200 mg/kg/day CP was administered by i.p injection. On the 8th day, the rats were sacrificed by exsanguination and the hearts were dissected. Histopathological examinations were performed by Hematoxylin&Eosin (H&E), Masson Trichrome and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining methods; Annexin-V and Anti-NOX2/gp91phox analyzes were performed by flow cytometry. In histological evaluation of the CP Group; disruptions in cardiac histology and increased PAS(+) staining were observed. These findings were reduced in the CP+AST group compared to the CP group. According to flow cytometry measurements, there was an increase in Annexin-V and Anti-NOX2/gp91phox bound cells in the CP group. With the AST pretreatment, in the CP+AST group Annexin-V and Anti-NOX2/gp91phox bound cell level showed decrease. Based on our study's data, CP may alter cardiac histology and have a negative impact on apoptosis and oxidative damage processes. Astaxanthin may ameliorate these effects of CP on the heart. To enhance the assessment of this protective effect, we propose conducting future research utilizing varied dosages, application durations and advanced analytical techniques.