Revisiting the Cardiotoxic Effect of Chloroquine

Purpose Cardiotoxicity is a well-known side effect of chloroquine. Several studies have proposed chloroquine as a potential anti-diabetic treatment but do not address this problem. The current study investigated the effect of ex vivo chloroquine treatment on (1) heart function and glucose uptake, (2) mitochondrial function and (3) in vivo treatment on heart function. Methods Control or obese male Wistar rats were used throughout. Dose responses of increasing chloroquine concentrations versus vehicle on cardiac function were measured using isolated, Langendorff-perfused hearts whilst glucose uptake and cell viability were determined in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Mitochondrial function was assessed with a Clark-type oxygraph (Hansatech) after ex vivo perfusion with 30 μM chloroquine versus vehicle. Animals were treated orally with 5 mg/kg/day chloroquine for 6 weeks. Results Acute chloroquine treatment of 10 μM was sufficient to significantly decrease heart function ( p