Direct effects of doxorubicin on skeletal muscle contribute to fatigue

Br J Cancer. 2009 Jan 27;100(2):311-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604858. Epub 2009 Jan 13.

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue is a multidimensional symptom. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a working mechanism for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. In this study, doxorubicin (DOX) was tested on skeletal muscle function. Doxorubicin induced impaired ex vivo skeletal muscle relaxation followed in time by contraction impediment, which could be explained by DOX-induced changes in Ca(2+) responses of myotubes in vitro. The Ca(2+) responses in skeletal muscle, however, could not be explained by oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Electron Transport / drug effects
  • Fatigue / pathology*
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle Relaxation / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Myocardial Contraction / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antioxidants
  • Doxorubicin
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Calcium