Effects of histidine and N-acetylcysteine on doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

The amino acids histidine and n-acetylcysteine have many biological activities such as antioxidant effect. The present study investigated the effects of histidine and n-acetylcysteine on the heart lesions induced by doxorubicin (DOX) in rats. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into two major groups treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with normal saline and 4 mg/kg of DOX, respectively. Each group was further divided into four subgroups that were treated with separate and combined i.p. injections of histidine and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) at a same dose of 40 mg/kg. Electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded using lead II. The heart lesions were evaluated by light microscopy. Serum levels of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase and heart tissue malondialdehyde levels were measured. Histidine and especially NAC at a same dose of 40 mg/kg recovered ECG changes, improved heart lesions and prevented biochemical changes induced by DOX. Co-administration of histidine and NAC showed better responses when compared with them used alone. The results of the present study showed protective effects for histidine and NAC on the heart. Reduction in free radical-induced toxic effects may be involved in cardioprotective properties of histidine and NAC.