Evaluation of the Antitoxic Effect of Levamisole or Taurine Against High Dose of Cyclophosphamide in Tumor-Bearing Mice

Objective: To evaluate the antitoxic effects of levamisole (Lms) or taurine (Tau) against high dose of CTX (200 mg/kg) in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice.

Methods: Thirty five female Swiss Albino mice were used in this study; sub-grouped into five groups: Control group (non-tumorized); EAC tumorized and non-treated group; EAC tumorized and mono-treated with CTX group; EAC tumorized and co-treated with CTX and Lms group; EAC tumorized and co-treated with CTX and Tau group.

Results: Co-treatment of CTX with subcutaneous injection of Lms (10 mg/kg) or intragastric administration of Tau (640 mg/kg) resulted in a reduction of the tumor cell count, viability and proliferation accompanied by an elevation in the rate of tumor growth inhibition and apoptotic index. Furthermore, co-treatments of CTX with Lms or Tau restored the immune suppression induced by CTX mono-treatment. However, co-treatments of CTX with Lms or Tau partially normalized bone marrow nucleated cell count, viability, splenocytes proliferation, immune organ indices as well as hematological alterations; it was obvious that Tau co-treatment was much more effective than Lms as hepatic and renal protective agent.

Conclusion: Data suggested that, both agents, Lms or Tau, exhibits strong potentiality to enhance sensitivity of EAC to chemotherapy and attenuate the toxicity induced by high dose of CTX in tumor-bearing mice.

Keywords: Cyclophosphamide toxicity, Hematological alterations, Immune suppression, Levamisole, Taurine.