The effect of lutein on paclitaxel-induced neuropathy and neuropathic pain in rats

Background: Paclitaxel is a drug used to treat cancer, but it causes neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy. One of the causes of these effects of paclitaxel on nerve tissue is oxidative damage. Lutein has antioxidant effects. In this study, it was investigated the influence of lutein whether decrease oxidative damage of paclitaxel on nerve tissue or not. Methods: Pain threshold (PT) in paw of paclitaxel-only group (PC), paclitaxel+lutein group (PL), and control group (CG) rats were measured using a Basile algesimeter. The sciatic nerve tissue of experimental animals was used to conduct biochemical analyses. Analyses of malondialdehyde (MAD), total glutathione (GT), myeloperoxidase (MP), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) were performed. Histopathologic examination was performed in all groups. The CG and the other groups were compared. Results: PT was lowest in the PC group. However considerable increase in pain threshold in paw was observed in the PL group with respect to the PC group. As a result, the usage of lutein increased PT in paw. The PC group had signs of oxidative damage. With the use of lutein, paclitaxel was prevented from causing oxidative damage. Histopathological examination revealed that paclitaxel caused damage to myelin sheath and axon of sciatic nerve tissue. However, lutein was found to prevent this damage to the myelin sheath and axon. Paclitaxel causes neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy. One of the causes is the oxidative damage of paclitaxel in nerve tissue. Conclusion: Lutein, which has an antioxidant effect, prevents the damage of paclitaxel on nerve tissue.