Effects of curcumin and nicorandil on nilotinib-induced QT interval prolongation in rats: A telemetry-based study

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Nilotinib (Nilo), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in chronic myeloid leukemia, prolongs QTc mainly through hERG (IKr) channel inhibition. Curcumin (Curc), often co-administered, modulates cardiac ion channels, whereas nicorandil (Nico) acts as a KATP channel opener.

This study evaluated the effects of Curc and Nico on Nilo-induced QTc prolongation.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters received 10 mg/kg nilotinib (selected as the minimal effective dose based on preliminary dose-finding studies at 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg), 100 mg/kg curcumin, or 10 mg/kg nicorandil, as previously described. Animals were allocated into seven groups: Control, Nilo, Curc, Nico, Nilo+Curc, Nilo+Nico and Nilo+Curc+Nico. ECG, biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test.

Nilotinib caused dose-dependent QTc prolongation, with 10 mg/kg as the minimal effective dose (p<0.001). Curcumin further exacerbated QTc prolongation, whereas nicorandil co-administration mitigated this effect. (p<0.001). Nilo also elevated TNF-α and TAS, which were attenuated in combination groups.

Nilotinib-induced dose-dependent QTc prolongation was aggravated by curcumin, whereas nicorandil demonstrated a potential protective effect on drug-induced LQTS.