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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish
Published on: June 7, 2018
Effect of quercetin on daunorubicin-induced heart mitochondria changes in rats
1Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
Abstract:
Cancer therapy with daunorubicin is limited by its cardiotoxicity. It has been suggested that daunorubicin-induced free radical generation can be involved. The precise molecular mechanism of daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is still not well understood but it is believed that mitochondria play an important role in this process. It has been reported that flavonoids with antioxidant properties may prevent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. In this work, we investigated the effects of daunorubicin and quercetin on mitochondrial enzyme activities such as ATPase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR). Moreover, we also studied the changes of outer mitochondrial membrane using synchronous fluorescence spectra. The activity of ATPase and GR were significantly increased after daunorubicin application. Pretreatment with quercetin significantly alleviated this increase. On the other hand, GPx activity was significantly decreased and quercetin prevented this decrease. Treatment with quercetin alone had no significant effect on the enzyme activity studied. Quercetin also completely prevented daunorubicin-induced changes in fluorescence of the outer mitochondrial membrane. In conclusion, our data indicate that quercetin may be useful in mitigating daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Insights
Quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid, may protect against the heart damage caused by the cancer drug daunorubicin. This study shows quercetin helps maintain mitochondrial enzyme activity and membrane integrity during daunorubicin treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer therapy with daunorubicin is limited by cardiotoxicity, potentially involving free radical generation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Flavonoids with antioxidant properties are being investigated for their potential to prevent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of daunorubicin and quercetin on mitochondrial enzyme activities (ATPase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR)).
- To assess changes in the outer mitochondrial membrane using synchronous fluorescence spectra.
- To determine if quercetin can mitigate daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays for ATPase, GPx, and GR in the presence of daunorubicin and quercetin.
- Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze outer mitochondrial membrane changes.
- Comparative analysis of enzyme activities and spectral data with and without quercetin pretreatment.
Main Results:
- Daunorubicin significantly increased ATPase and GR activity, while decreasing GPx activity.
- Quercetin pretreatment significantly alleviated the daunorubicin-induced increase in ATPase and GR activity.
- Quercetin prevented the decrease in GPx activity and normalized daunorubicin-induced changes in outer mitochondrial membrane fluorescence.
- Quercetin alone did not significantly affect enzyme activities.
Conclusions:
- Quercetin demonstrates protective effects against daunorubicin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Quercetin may be a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
- The findings support the role of quercetin as an antioxidant in preventing drug-induced heart damage.
