Abstract: Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides against adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiotoxicity in SD rats. Methods: A myocardial injury model induced by intraperitoneal injection of ADR was established in SD rats. SD rats were divided arbitrarily into five groups: control group, ADR model group, and three Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide treatment groups (administered at doses of 25, 50 mg/(kg·d) and100 mg/(kg·d) body weight, respectively for 7 consecutive days). ADR was administered on the 8th day at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. On the 14th day, the mice in each group were sacrificed and hearts were collected and determined for the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondrial membrane potential and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, mouse body weight and physiological conditions were examined. Results: Compared with ADR model group, Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides significantly attenuated ADR-induced body weight loss, increased CAT, SOD and GSH-Px activities and mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased LDH and CK activities and MDA content in cardiac tissues. Conclusions: Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides can protect against ADR-induced myocardial injury in rats. The mechanism may be related to reducing oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant defense and protecting mitochondria.

Key words: Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide, adriamycin, myocardial injury, oxidative stress