Alpha-lipoic acid versus nimodipine protective effect against vinblastine induced neurological and haematological toxicities in adult albino rats

ABSTRACT

Vinblastine [VBL] is an antimicrotubule vinca alkaloid that is used for the treatment of resistant metastatic breast cancer. In this work, it had been studied in adult albino rats to define its neurological and haematological toxicities. Alpha lipoic acid and nimodipine were used to evaluate their protective role against VBL induced toxicities. 63 adult albino rats of both sexes were divided into 9 equal groups negative control group [Gr I], olive oil group [Gr II], 5% dextrose solution group [Gr III], Alpha-lipoic acid group [Gr IV], nimodipine group [Gr V], VBL group [Gr VI], Alpha-lipoic acid + VBL group [Gr VII], nimodipine + VBL group [Gr VIII] and Alpha-slipoic acid + nimodipine + VBL group [Gr IX]. The materials and drugs were given intraperitoneally for 2 consecutive days every 3 weeks [1 cycle] and the course was repeated for six cycles. Neurological investigations were carried out by the flowcytometer and the spectrophotometer for detection of the percentage of both the apoptotic cells in the pre G1 phase and the DNA fragmentation. Haematological investigations included CBC s and bone marrow film examination. The chain breaking antioxidants were also measured. The results revealed that VBL had neurological and haematological toxicities while Alpha-lipoic acid and nimodipine showed protective effects against such toxicities. The protective effect of Alpha-lipoic acid was better than nimodipine as regards the haematological toxicity. The best protection was offered by combined administration of [Alpha-lipoic acid + nimodipine with VBL