3-Indolepropionic acid mitigates sub-acute toxicity in the cardiomyocytes of epirubicin-treated female rats

Epirubicin (EPI) is an effective chemotherapeutic against breast cancer, though EPI-related cardiotoxicity limits its usage. Endogenously derived 3-indolepropionic acid ( 3-IPA) from tryptophan metabolism is of interest due to its antioxidant capabilities which may have cardioprotective effects. Supplementation with 3-IPA may abate EPI's cardiotoxicity, and herein we studied the possibility of lessening EPI-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats. Experimental rats ( n = 30; BW 180–200 g) were randomly distributed in five cohorts (A–E; n = 6 each). Group A (control), Group B (EPI 2.5 mg/mL), and group C (3-IPA 40 mg/kg) while Groups D and E were co-treated with EPI (2.5 mg/mL) together with 3-IPA (D: 20 and E: 40 mg/kg). Following sacrifice, oxidative status, lipid profile, transaminases relevant to cardiac function, and inflammatory biomarkers were analysed. Also, 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). EPI-initiated increases in cardiotoxicity biomarkers were significantly ( p