Abstract: |
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent against hematogenous and solid tumors
with undesirable side effects including immunosuppression. Quercetin (QUR), a natural flavonoid
abundant in fruits and vegetables, has a potent antioxidant activity. The aim of the current study was
to assess the impact of QUR on DOX-induced hematological and immunological dysfunctions in a
rodent model. Randomly grouped rats were treated as follows: control, QUR alone (50 mg/kg for
15 days per os), DOX alone (2.5 mg/kg I/P, three times a week, for two weeks), and co-treated rats
with QUR for 15 days prior to and concomitantly with DOX (for two weeks), at the doses intended
for groups two and three. DOX alone significantly disrupted the erythrogram and leukogram
variables. Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, and IgE) levels and the activities of catalase (CAT)
and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spleen were declined. The DNA damage traits in spleen were
elevated with an upregulation of the expression of the apoptotic markers (p53 and Caspase-3 genes)
and the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF- genes), while the expression of CAT gene
was downregulated. These biochemical changes were accompanied by morphological changes
in the spleen of DOX-treated rats. Co-treatment with QUR abated most of the DOX-mediated
alterations in hematological variables, serum immunoglobulins, and spleen antioxidant status, proinflammatory
and apoptotic responses, and histopathological alterations. In essence, these data
suggest that QUR alleviated DOX-induced toxicities on the bone marrow, spleen, and antibodyproducing
cells. Supplementation of chemotherapy patients with QUR could circumvent the DOXinduced
inflammation and immunotoxicity, and thus prevent chemotherapy failure.
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