Effects of Chitosan on Cisplatin-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in an Animal Model.

Introduction: We examined the effects of chitosan (CTS) for reducing cisplatin (CIS)-induced hepatorenal toxicity in a rat model. Methods: A hepatorenal toxicity model was established by administering a single dose of 7 mg/kg CIS intraperitoneally (i.p) to Wistar albino rats. After seven days of once-daily normal saline or CTS (200 mg/kg; po) treatment, liver and kidney tissue samples were obtained from rats and Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase-3 expression levels were evaluated by Western blotting method. Histologically, structural damage was measured under a light microscope, and the degree of damage to organs was evaluated by a scoring system. Results: CIS-induced hepatorenal damage was reversed with CTS treatment in the renal and hepatic tissues (p<0.05). Overall, CISinduced increases in apoptotic parameters, Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase-3 expression, were reversed by CTS treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that CTS, a biopolymer, may have a protective effect by preventing hepatorenal damage caused by CIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]