Neurotrophin-3 reverses experimental cisplatin-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy

Ann Neurol. 1995 Jul;38(1):30-7. doi: 10.1002/ana.410380108.

Abstract

Cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, induces a sensory neuropathy with selective loss of vibration sense and proprioception. Here we demonstrate that neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a member of the nerve growth factor family of neurotrophic factors, restored to normal levels the reduced H-reflex-related sensory nerve conduction velocity induced by cisplatin in rats. NT-3 treatment corrected an abnormal cytoplasmic distribution of neurofilament protein in large sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia and the reduction in the numbers of myelinated fibers in sural nerves caused by cisplatin. The NT-3-dependent reversal of cisplatin neurotoxicity thus suggests the possible use of NT-3 in the treatment of peripheral sensory neuropathy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Cisplatin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Female
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Ganglia, Spinal / physiology
  • H-Reflex / drug effects
  • H-Reflex / physiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology*
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Cisplatin