Glucosamine Protects Rat Bone Marrow Cells Against Cisplatin-induced Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity

Glucosamine is a widely prescribed dietary supplement used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In the present study, the chemoprotectant ability of glucosamine was evaluated against cisplatin-induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in rat bone marrow cells.

Glucosamine was orally administrated to rats at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg body weight for seven consecutive days. On the seventh day, the rats were treated with a single injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) at 1h after the last oral administration. The cisplatin antagonistic potential of glucosamine was assessed by micronucleus assay, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level analysis, hematological analysis, and flow cytometry.

Glucosamine administration to cisplatin-treated rats significantly decreased the frequencies of Micronucleated Polychromatic Erythrocytes (MnPCEs) and Micronucleated Normchromatic Erythrocytes (MnNCEs), and also increased PCE/(PCE+NCE) ratio in bone marrow cells. Furthermore, treatment of rats with glucosamine before cisplatin significantly inhibited apoptosis, necrosis and ROS generation in bone marrow cells, and also increased red blood cells count in peripheral blood.

This study shows glucosamine to be a new effective chemoprotector against cisplatin-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in rat bone marrow cells. The results of this study may be helpful in reducing the harmful effects of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the future.