Melatonin rescued methotrexate-induced spatial deficit and hyperhomocysteinemia and increased asymmetric dimethylarginine in plasma and dorsal hippocampus in developing rats

Publication date: Available online 13 October 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Yu-Chieh Chen, Jiunn-Ming Sheen, Mei-Hsin Hsu, Chih-Cheng Hsiao, Su-Chen Wang, Li-Tung HuangAbstractAimsWith the improvement of the survival rates in children acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), some children ALL survivors show impaired cognitive function. Methotrexate (MTX), an essential component in ALL treatment, has been reported to be related to neurologic sequelae and to increased oxidative stress through its interactions with enzymes in the folate pathway. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is the main endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, and increased ADMA may result from increased oxidants. Melatonin is an antioxidant; however, its role in MTX neuropathy is not well studied. We developed a rat model mimicking child ALL treatment to explore peripheral and central homocysteine and ADMA regulation after MTX and found potential treatment choice.Main methodsPreweaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Experiment 1 evaluated spatial performance in rats with intrathecal (IT) MTX, intraperitoneal (IP) MTX, or combined IT and IP MTX, protocols mimicking ALL treatment in children. Experiment 2 focused on rats with combined IT and IP MTX, evaluating spatial performance and plasma and dorsal hippocampal homocysteine and ADMA levels, their regulation, and the protective effect of melatonin.Key findingsCombined IT and IP MTX treatment caused in spatial deficits in developing...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research