Repeated Cisplatin Treatments inhibit Gastrointestinal Motility and Induces Baroreflex Changes and Mechanical Hyperalgesia in Rats

Abstract

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy agent known for its neurotoxicity. We evaluated the effect of cisplatin on the gastric emptying (GE), gastrointestinal (GI) transit of liquid, baroreflex function, thermal, and mechanical withdrawal latencies in rats. Cisplatin increased the GE of liquid with doses ≥2 mg.kg⁻¹ by 59.7–77.4%. This GE delay was not present two weeks after the treatment with five doses of cisplatin at 1 mg.kg⁻¹. Cisplatin also enhanced baroreflex gain possibly by increasing sympathetic activity. Our results demonstrated that cisplatin (2–10 mg.kg⁻¹) causes autonomic neuropathy with GI and baroreflex changes and mechanical but not thermal hyperalgesia in rats.

Keywords: :

• Autonomic neuropathy
• Baroreflex
• Cisplatin; Gastric emptying
• Gastric motility
• Rats

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), CAPES, FUNCAP and UFC. We would like to thank Mr. Antônio Haroldo Pinheiro Ferreira for his technical assistance.