Multifactorial mechanisms of 5-fluorouracil-induced cardiotoxicity and the cardioprotective role of gallic acid


Imre G., Caglayan C., Kandemir Ö., ÇELİK SAMANCI T., Dalkılınç E., KÜÇÜKLER S., ...Daha Fazla

Molecular Biology Reports, cilt.53, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 53 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11033-026-12716-8
  • Dergi Adı: Molecular Biology Reports
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 5-fluorouracil, Gallic acid, Cardiotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent widely used in the treatment of solid tumors; however, its clinical use is limited by cardiotoxicity. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity and evaluated the potential cardioprotective effects of gallic acid (GA). Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7/group): Control, GA, 5-FU, and 5-FU + GA. GA (120 mg/kg/day, orally) was administered for 7 consecutive days, and a single intraperitoneal dose of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) was given on day 5. Serum cardiac injury markers, cardiac oxidative stress parameters, inflammation-, ER stress-, autophagy-, and apoptosis-related gene expression, PI3K/AKT protein levels, and histopathological and immunohistochemical changes were evaluated. Results: 5-FU significantly increased serum LDH and CK-MB levels, oxidative stress, inflammatory, ER stress, autophagy, and apoptosis-related markers, and induced marked histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in cardiac tissue. Co-treatment with GA markedly ameliorated these biochemical, molecular, and histopathological changes, whereas GA alone produced findings comparable to those of the control group. Conclusions: GA protects against 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, ER stress, autophagy, and apoptosis, suggesting its potential as a cardioprotective adjunct during 5-FU chemotherapy.