Abstract / Summary
Abstract Doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CIS) are extensively used chemotherapeutic drugs, but their clinical use is hindered by systemic and organ-specific toxicities. This study comparatively evaluated the oxidative, inflammatory, hematological, immune, and tissue responses induced by DOX and CIS administered at the same dose. Adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into control and chemotherapy-treated groups. The chemotherapy groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of DOX or CIS (7.5 mg/kg). Serum oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH)), inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin T, immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), and hematological parameters were assessed. Cardiac and splenic tissues were evaluated for MDA, SOD, Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and caspase-3, together with histopathological examination and scoring. Both DOX and CIS caused anemia, leukocyte imbalance, thrombocytosis, and increased IgG and IgM, with more severe effects in DOX. Both agents also induced systemic oxidative stress, inflammation, and increased LDH and troponin T levels. In cardiac and splenic tissues, these treatments were associated with increased MDA, NF-κB, and caspase-3 levels, with reduced SOD activity. Histopathological examination and scoring revealed myocardial degeneration, vacuolation, necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration, as well as splenic white pulp depletion and disruption of the red–white pulp boundaries, with more pronounced damage observed in the DOX group. DOX and CIS induced systemic and tissue oxidative, inflammatory, hematological, and apoptotic disturbances, supporting an oxidative stress–NF-κB–apoptosis pathway in cardiac and splenic toxicity.