Effects of ganglioside on paclitaxel (Taxol) induced neuropathy in rats

The effects of ganglioside on paclitaxel induced neuropathy were studied in 15 female Wistar rats. The animals were equally divided into 3 groups based on the type of administrated drug. The first (C-group) received an intraperitoneal weekly injection of 1 ml of NSS for five weeks. The second (P-group) received 9 mg/kg of a paclitaxel intraperitoneal weekly injection for five weeks. The third (PG-group) received both ganglioside and paclitaxel. Sensory evaluation and electrophysiologic studies of the tail nerve were performed before the administration of the first dose and at the end of the experiment. Morphological evaluation of the sciatic nerve was also studied. The results revealed the mean reaction time of the tail flick test, latency, amplitude and nerve conduction velocity of the P-group in the first and seventh week were of significant difference. However, there was no significant difference detected in those of the C-group and the PG-group. There was significant difference in all parameters between the PG and P-groups but not between the PG and C-groups. Cross sections of the sciatic nerve in the P-group showed mild endoneurium edema and some degenerated axons. Small myelinated nerve fibers in the PG-group were prominent. The results of this study indicated that ganglioside treatment could produce some beneficial effects in an animal model of paclitaxel induced neuropathy.