Protective effect of adenosine triphosphate against cisplatin-induced necrotic and degenerative oral mucositis in rats

Inflammation, oxidative damage, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion play a role in the7 pathogenesis of cisplatin (CIS)-induced oral mucositis. Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine8 the impact of ATP against potential oral mucositis development in cisplatin-treated rats. Methodology All rats9 were randomly assigned to four groups, namely healthy control group (HG), ATP group (ATPG), Cisplatin10 group (CISG), and ATP + Cisplatin group (ATCS). Firstly, ATP 4 mg/kg was administered via intraperitoneal11 injection (IP) to both ATPG and ATCS groups. The same volume of normal saline was injected into HG and12 CISG groups. After 1 h, cisplatin 5 mg/kg was administered via IP to CISG and ATCS groups. The drugs13 were taken 1x1 for 7 d. Later, tongue tissues were collected from all groups. Biochemical, macroscopic,14 and histopathological examinations were performed on all tissues. Results: ATP inhibited cisplatin-induced15 oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in tongue tissue. In the CIS group, a significant16 number of distinct sulcus formations were found in the apex and corpus, as well as a few ulcer foci in the17 corpus, significant papilla loss, and bleeding. Meanwhile, in the ATP group, a similar appearance to healthy18 tissue was observed. Histopathologically, it was determined that in cisplatin-aggravated tongue tissue19 damage, filiform papillae decreased when ATP was administered, and the arrangement and structures of20 the epithelium, blood capillaries, muscle groups, and adipose cell groups were normal. Conclusions: Oral21 mucositis caused by cisplatin is alleviated by ATP. These findings may be useful for developing new therapeutic22 approaches to prevent or treat mucositis, a side effect so severe that can lead to treatment discontinuation.23 24. © 2025, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru da Universidade de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved.