The potential harmful effect of cyclophosphamide on the placenta in rats

Abstract

Background & Aim: Placental insufficiency is one of the hazardous complications that may occur during pregnancy leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is one of the chemotherapeutic drugs that can be used for the treatment of many cancers and autoimmune diseases. One of its indication is the treatment of SLE in pregnant women. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of CYC on the placenta. Materials and methods: twelve female Wister albino rats were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups. Group 1: control pregnant group; Group 2: pregnant rats received CYC (20 mg/kg, i.p). Placental malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), NADP oxidase 4 (NOX4) and caspase-3 were measured. Histological changes were also evaluated. Key findings: CYC showed a significant decrease in placental TAC but a significant increase in placental MDA, NOX4, and caspase-3. Conclusion: The current study revealed that CYC has toxic effects on placenta confirmed by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in placental tissue.