title: Chemotherapy-induced allodinia: neuroprotective effect of acetyl-L-carnitine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We tested the hypothesis that acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) may have a protective and a curative role in chemotherapy-induced hyperalgesia in vivo, in animal models of cisplatin-, paclitaxel- and vincristine-induced neuropathy. In addition, the possible interaction between ALC and vincristine antineoplastic action was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) was induced in different groups of rats. The effect of ALC was evaluated both when its administration was started together with the administration of anticancer drugs ("preventive" protocol) and when ALC administration was started later on during treatment ("curative" protocol).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ALC treatment significantly prevented the lowering of the mechanical nociceptive threshold when the administration started concomitantly and, respectively, with cisplatin, paclitaxel and vincristine as compared to each drug alone. Furthermore, when ALC administration was started later on during treatment, at well-established neuropathy, ALC was able to restore the mechanical nociceptive threshold within a few days. Finally, experiments indicated that ALC does not interfere with the antitumor effects of vincristine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the absence of any satisfactory treatment currently available for CIPN in a clinical setting, these are important observations, opening up the possibility of using ALC to treat a wide range of patients who have undergone chemotherapy and developed sensory peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Sigma-Tau S.p.A. Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, Rome, Italy. orlando.ghirardi@sigma.tau.it
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ghirardi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vertechy
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vesci
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canta
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolini
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galbiati
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciogli
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quattrini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: Sante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cundari
authors.forename: Laura Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rigamonti
mesh_terms: D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000633:toxicity; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D014750:Vincristine / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014750:Vincristine; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin