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Modulating Effects of Spirulina platensis against Tilmicosin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice
Abdelaziz E Ibrahim1, Mohamed Mohamed Abdel-Daim2
1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Objective:
Tilmicosin (TIL) is a long-acting macrolide antibiotic used to treat cattle for pathogens that cause bovine respiratory disease. However, overdoses of this medication have been reported to induce cardiac damage. Our experimental objective was to evaluate the protective effects of Spirulina platensis (SP) administration against TIL-induced cardiotoxicity in mice.
Materials And Methods:
Our experimental in vivo animal study used 40 male albino mice that were divided into five groups of eight mice per group. The first group served as a control group and was injected with saline. The second group received SP at dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight for five days. The third group received a single dose of TIL (75 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Groups 4 and 5 were given SP at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive days just before administration of TIL at the same dose and regimen used for group 3.
Results:
TIL treated animals showed a significant increase in serum cardiac injury biomarkers as well as cardiac lipid peroxidation, however they had evidence of an inhibition in antioxidant biomarkers. SP normalized elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB. Furthermore, SP reduced TIL-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion:
Administration of SP minimized the toxic effects of TIL by its free radicalscavenging and potent antioxidant activity.
Insights
Spirulina platensis (SP) protects against tilmicosin (TIL)-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. SP administration normalized cardiac biomarkers and reduced oxidative stress, demonstrating its antioxidant and free radical-scavenging properties.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Tilmicosin (TIL), a macrolide antibiotic, treats bovine respiratory disease but can cause cardiotoxicity.
- Overdoses of TIL have been linked to cardiac damage in animal models.
- Spirulina platensis (SP) is a cyanobacterium with known antioxidant properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of SP against TIL-induced cardiotoxicity.
- To evaluate SP's efficacy in mitigating TIL-induced cardiac damage in mice.
- To assess the role of SP's antioxidant activity in preventing TIL toxicity.
Main Methods:
- An in vivo study involving 40 male albino mice divided into five groups.
- Groups received saline, SP alone, TIL alone, or SP pretreatment followed by TIL.
- Cardiac injury biomarkers, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant biomarkers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Tilmicosin (TIL) administration significantly increased cardiac injury biomarkers and lipid peroxidation while decreasing antioxidant biomarkers.
- SP administration normalized elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB.
- SP reduced TIL-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Spirulina platensis (SP) administration effectively minimized TIL-induced cardiotoxicity.
- SP's protective effects are attributed to its potent antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities.
- SP shows potential as a therapeutic agent to counteract macrolide antibiotic-induced cardiac damage.

