title: Gender difference in motor impairments induced by chronic administration of vinblastine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neurotoxicity of anticancer drugs complicates treatment of cancer patients. Vinblastine (VBL) is reported to induce motor and cognitive impairments in patients receiving chronic low-dose regimen.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of VBL treatment on motor, learning and memory functions of male and female Wistar rats were studied by behavioral related tests. Animals were given chronic intraperitoneal injections of VBL (0.2 mg/kg/week for 5 weeks) from postnatal day 23 to 52. Motor function was evaluated using grasping test and balancing was evaluated by the rotarod. Spatial learning and memory and anxiety-like behavior were determined using Morris water maze (MWM) task and open field test, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of VBL caused severe damage to motor and balance function of male rats in comparison to female rats treated with VBL and rats treated with saline. Memory and locomotion were affected in both male and female rats compared with saline treated rats, while a sex difference was also observed in these parameters; male rats showed more impairment compared with female ones. Both male and female rats showed cognitive impairments in MWM task and no sex differences were observed in these functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results revealed that VBL is a potent neurotoxic agent and despite the profound effect of VBL on motor and cognitive functions, it seems that male rats are more susceptible to motor deficits induced by VBL.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahrnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parsania
authors.affiliation: Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shabani
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Kasra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moazzami
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Moazamehosadat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Razavinasab
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Larizadeh
authors.affiliation: Student research committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazeri
authors.affiliation: Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asadi-Shekaari
authors.affiliation: Student research committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Moein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kermani
keywords: Anticancer; Learning and memory; Motor function; Vinblastine