title: Schwann cell degeneration induced by doxorubicin (adriamycin).
abstract: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic that acts at the cell nucleus by intercalating between base pairs of DNA, thus inhibiting DNA-directed mRNA synthesis. Intraneural micro-injection of 0.19-0.38 micrograms of this substance into rat sciatic nerve results in a delayed subacute demyelination that is secondary to focal Schwann cell degeneration. Remyelination eventually occurs but is not complete until at least days 60-75 postinjection. Toxic Schwann cell disorders produced by agents such as doxorubicin may serve as useful models in understanding the pathogenesis of human demyelinative neuropathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Said
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sumner
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004317:Doxorubicin