Peripheral nervous system neurotoxicity is the most problematic complication of cisplatin treatment. In this study, we have addressed the possible neuroprotective effect of canagliflozin on cisplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly allocated into the following: control (vehicle) group, received hydhroxypropyl methyl cellulose; cisplatin group, injected cisplatin 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal, twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks; canagliflozin-cisplatin of received canagliflozin, 10 mg/kg/day by gavage and cisplatin in the same schedule like cisplatin group. Thermal nociception and rotarod performance were assessed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and caspase 3 were determined in serum. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical stained sciatic nerve sections were examined. Cisplatin induced thermal hypoalgesia and decreased rotarod performance as well as GSH serum level while increased MDA, TNF-α, and caspase-3 serum levels with atrophy and fragmentation of the nerve fibers with decreased expression of myelin basic protein. Canagliflozin prevented thermal hypoalgesia and improved rotarod performance with increment in GSH serum level while decreased MDA, TNF-α, and caspase-3 levels as well as prevented fragmentation of the nerve fibers and enhanced myelin basic protein expression in relation to cisplatin group. Canagliflozin attenuates the neurotoxic effect of cisplatin through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions as well as inhibition of apoptosis.
Keywords: Apoptosis; Canagliflozin; Caspase-3; Malondialdehyde; Peripheral neuropathy.