Cardiotoxic effects of enrofloxacin on electrophysiological activity, cardiac markers, oxidative stress, and haematological findings in rabbits

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of normal and high doses of enrofloxacin on basal electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters including corrected QT (QTc) values along with biochemical and haematological findings in healthy rabbits. In total 21 New Zealand rabbits were used. The animals were randomly divided into three groups including 7 rabbits in each. The normal dose (5 mg/kg) of enrofloxacin and a toxic dose (50 mg/kg) were given intravenously in group 1, and the normal dose was given for 6 weeks in group 2. The last group was designated as a negative control (group 3). ECG, serum biochemistry parameters, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined every week. At the end of the experiment, necropsy was performed and histology was evaluated. Some oxidative parameters were measured in the heart tissue. No cardiotoxic effect was observed on ECG, in biochemical or haematological findings, or macroscopic or histological findings in groups 2 and 3. The results indicated that enrofloxacin is not harmful for the heart in clinically healthy rabbits at normal and toxic doses compared with the negative control group in terms of ECG, biochemical or haematological findings, or macroscopic or histological findings.