Preliminary investigation of organ-protective effects of fullerenol in vivo in acute toxicity during doxorubicin therapy in healthy pigs

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The potential protective effect of fullerenol [C60(OH)24, Frl], a strong antioxidant, was investigated at a single dose of 25 mg/kg, administered orally (per os; p.o.) and intraperitoneally (i.p.), in the liver, lung, kidney, heart and spleen of healthy pigs, prior to doxorubicin (Dox)-induced toxicity at a single i.p. dose of 10 mg/kg. Methods We used the F1 generation of an in-vivo pig model (whose parents were Swedish Landrace and Large Yorkshire) to explore whether Frl, administered 6 h for p.o. and 30 min for i.p. prior to Dox treatment, could protect organs against damage caused by oxidative stress. Key findings According to the macroscopic, haematological, biochemical and physiological results, Frl exerted a potential protective effect on all investigated organs (heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidney) in pigs after i.p. administration. However, the results from Frl p.o. administration were inconclusive, therefore warranting further investigation. Conclusions Frl at a low dose of 25 mg/kg demonstrated satisfactory organ protection against Dox-induced toxicity in healthy pigs after i.p. injection, However, additional follow-up studies in pig models of cancer and with longer Dox and Frl treatment periods would be required to further delineate the optimal and clinically relevant conditions for Frl administration.