High Fructose Consumption May Increase 5-Fluorouracil - Induced Cardiotoxicity

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the second most common chemotherapeutic agent associated with cardiotoxicities. High fructose consumption has the potential to increase 5-FU cardiotoxicity through pathophysiological mechanisms such as inflammation and increased oxidative stress.

This study evaluated the relationship between fructose consumption and 5-FU cardiotoxicity.

A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 10 each (control = 10, high fructose diet = 10, 5-FU = 10, 5-FU + high fructose diet = 10 (5-FU-HF)). 5-FU and 5-FU-HF groups received 150 mg/kg 5-FU at the beginning and on the 39th day of the study. At the beginning and at the end of the study, rats were examined by echocardiography and electrocardiogram. Furthermore, the histopathological method was used to evaluate the level of cardiotoxicity.

In the 5-FU-HF group, 11% more EF decrease in quantitative modified Simpson measurements, 15% more QRS prolongation, and 11% more corrected QT interval prolongation were detected compared to the 5-FU group (P < 0.001, <0.001, <0.001). Inflammatory cell infiltration, sarcomyolysis, and necrotic changes were detected more in the 5-FU-HF group compared to the 5-FU group (P < 0.001, <0.001, <0.001).

Our study showed that a high fructose diet has the potential to increase the effects of 5-FU - induced cardiotoxicity.