Effect of modified citrus pectin on galectin-3 inhibition in cisplatin-induced cardiac and renal toxicity

This study evaluated the effect of pharmacological inhibition of galectin 3 (Gal-3) with modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the heart and kidney in a model of cisplatin-induced acute toxicity. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): SHAM, which received sterile saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) for three days; CIS, which received cisplatin i.p. (10 mg/kg/day) for three days; MCP, which received MCP orally (100 mg/kg/day) for seven days, followed by sterile saline i.p. for three days; MCP+CIS, which received MCP orally for seven days followed by cisplatin i.p. for three days. The blood, heart, and kidneys were collected six hours after the last treatment. MCP treatment did not change Gal-3 protein levels in the blood and heart, but it did reduce them in the kidneys of the MCP groups compared to the SHAM group. While no morphological changes were evident in the cardiac tissue, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and deregulation of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system were observed in the heart homogenates of the MCP+CIS group. Cisplatin administration caused acute tubular degeneration in the kidneys; the MCP+CIS group also showed increased MDA levels. In conclusion, MCP therapy in the acute model of cisplatin-induced toxicity increases oxidative stress in cardiac and renal tissues. Further investigations are needed to determine the beneficial and harmful roles of Gal-3 in the cardiorenal system since it can act differently in acute and chronic diseases/conditions.