Orange Juice Improves Heart and Liver Health in Doxorubicin-Treated Subjects

Jim Crocker
14th September, 2024

Orange Juice Improves Heart and Liver Health in Doxorubicin-Treated Subjects

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from São Paulo State University found that Pera orange juice can reduce some harmful effects of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) in rats
  • DOX-treated rats showed significant weight loss, heart changes, and increased liver and heart stress markers
  • Orange juice did not fix heart changes but reduced oxidative stress and improved metabolic effects caused by DOX
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapy drug widely used to treat various cancers. However, its clinical use is significantly constrained by its severe side effects, including cardiotoxicity and liver toxicity[1]. Researchers from São Paulo State University (Unesp), Brazil, have explored the potential of Pera orange juice (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) to mitigate these adverse effects. The study involved 24 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: Control (C), DOX (D), and DOX plus Pera orange juice (DOJ). The DOJ group received orange juice for four weeks, while the C and D groups received water. Both D and DOJ groups were administered DOX at a dose of 4 mg/kg/week intraperitoneally. After four weeks, the rats underwent echocardiography and were subsequently euthanized for further analysis. The results revealed that DOX-treated rats exhibited decreased water intake and significant weight loss over time. Echocardiography showed morphological changes in the hearts of the DOX-treated rats. Biochemical analyses indicated that DOX increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. Additionally, DOX treatment reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, increased protein carbonylation in the heart, and elevated dihydroethidium (DHE) expression in the liver. It also decreased glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) and the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ1) in the heart, as well as reduced carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) in the liver. These findings align with previous studies that have highlighted the oxidative stress and cell death pathways induced by DOX, which contribute to its cardiotoxic effects[2][3]. The São Paulo State University study further expands on these findings by demonstrating that DOX also disrupts lipid metabolism and energy metabolic parameters in both the heart and liver. Interestingly, the study found that while orange juice did not improve the morphological changes in the left ventricle caused by DOX, it did attenuate oxidative stress and mitigate the metabolic effects of DOX. This is significant because oxidative stress is a major factor in DOX-induced toxicity[2][3]. The reduction in oxidative stress by orange juice could be attributed to its antioxidant properties, which have been shown to counteract ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels and enhance antioxidant defenses[4]. The study's results suggest that orange juice could be a valuable adjunct therapy to reduce the side effects of DOX without compromising its anti-cancer efficacy. This aligns with earlier findings that have explored the use of bioactive compounds to attenuate DOX toxicity[4]. However, it is important to note that while the study showed promising results in animal models, further clinical studies are needed to confirm these effects in humans. In summary, this study from São Paulo State University provides compelling evidence that Pera orange juice can mitigate some of the harmful effects of DOX on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in the heart and liver. This research opens new avenues for improving the safety profile of DOX in cancer treatment, potentially enhancing the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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References

Main Study

1) Pera orange juice (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) alters lipid metabolism and attenuates oxidative stress in the heart and liver of rats treated with doxorubicin.

Published 15th September, 2024 (future Journal edition)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36834

Related Studies

2) Underlying the Mechanisms of Doxorubicin-Induced Acute Cardiotoxicity: Oxidative Stress and Cell Death.

https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.65258

3) Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: An update on the molecular mechanism and novel therapeutic strategies for effective management.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111708

4) An update on the mechanisms related to cell death and toxicity of doxorubicin and the protective role of nutrients.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110834


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