Dipyridamole ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Dipyridamole is a platelet inhibitor with antithrombotic properties that can help prevent stroke recurrence. Twenty-eight male rats were divided randomly into four groups (7 rats in each group). Control group: rats received a natural diet and water. Normal saline group: rats received 0.9% normal saline for two weeks. Doxorubicin group (induced group): rats received 2.5 mg/kg three times a week for two weeks. Dipyridamole group (dipyridamole treated group): received dipyridamole (6 mg/kg/daily) orally for two weeks. Doxorubicin caused cardiotoxicity as indicated by a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, malondialdehyde, and caspase-3 level (P<0.05), while total antioxidant capacity and Bcl-2 levels were significantly reduced in cardiac tissues of rats in the doxorubicin group compared to the normal saline control group (P<0.05). Dipyridamole significantly ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, as suggested by a significant decrease in inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) (P<0.05). Moreover, the cardiac tissue level of oxidative marker malondialdehyde was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased in the dipyridamole group in comparison to the doxorubicin-only group (P<0.05). Dipyridamole exerted a significant heart-protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats, probably via interfering with oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptotic pathway. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential protective effect of dipyridamole against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via interfering with pro-inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic pathways.