Immunomodulatory potential of silver nanoparticles and therapeutic effect against doxorubicin-induced-cardiotoxicity in rats

Aim: The present study was designed to determine the therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at two doses on cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DOX). Material and methods: Sixty rats were randomized into six equal groups as follows: G1; Control, G2; NP1, rats received AgNPs (4 mg/kg b.w), G3; NP2, rats received AgNPs (8 mg/kg b.w), G4; cardiotoxicity group (DOX); rats received intraperitoneal single injection of DOX at dose of (30 mg/kg; i.p.), G5; DOX+ NP1, G6; DOX+ NP2. AgNPs was administered intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Results: AgNPs showed immunomodulatory potential as shown by an increase in blood leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils counts and the decrease in serum proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers. Cardio- therapeutic effects of AgNPs are shown by the decrease in biochemical markers of cardiac toxicity, namely, CPK, LDH, TropT, and ACL. DOX-treated rats showed significantly higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, total phospholipids, and LDL-c. Administration of AgNPs as therapeutic (4 and 8 mg/kg b.w) improved these parameters. Discussion: Depending on the immunomodulatory activity of Ag NPs, therapeutic effect on the heart against cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin was shown by an increase in blood leukocytes count, decrease in proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers.