Myeloprotective and hematoprotective role of kefir on cyclophosphamide toxicity in rats

Abstract

Abstract Aim: Kefir is a probiotic and prebiotic beverage produced from milk and kefir grains containing a mixture of bacteria and yeast. Drugs like cyclophosphamide (CPx) that are used for cancer chemotherapy are generally limited due to numerous unwanted side-effects such as multiple organ toxicity. For this purpose, the cell-protective effects of kefir, a natural probiotic known for its antitumor and antioxidant properties, on CPx-induced hemotoxicity and myelotoxicity were investigated in this study. Methods: Group 1 (control, 0.5 ml SF). Group 2 were administered a single dose of 150mg/kg CPx. Group 3 and 5 were given 5 and 10mg/kg kefir. Group 4 and 6 were given 5 and 10mg/kg kefir+150mg/kg CPx. While kefir was administered to the rats by gavage method for 12 days, CPx was administered as single-dose on the 12th day. Results: The DPPH results showed that kefir possesses high antioxidant activity. It was observed that the leukocytes, thrombocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and bone marrow nucleated cell levels decreased in the group that was administered only CPx, and increased relatively in the groups that were administered CPx+kefir, drawing close to the control. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that kefir had antioxidant and cytoprotective activity, protecting blood and bone marrow cells against CPx-induced damage.