AN EVOLVING CELLULAR PATHOLOGY OCCURS IN DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA, PERIPHERAL NERVE AND SPINAL CORD FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PACLITAXEL IN THE RAT

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug, can cause peripheral neuropathy, a condition affecting nerves. This study investigates how paclitaxel affects cells in the nervous system of rats over time, focusing on the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), sciatic nerve, and spinal cord. The study found that DRG neurons show the first signs of injury, followed by changes in satellite cells, macrophages, and Schwann cells. In the spinal cord, activation of astrocytes and microglia was observed. These cellular changes may contribute to the pain and sensory dysfunction associated with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. Understanding these changes may lead to new therapies to prevent or treat this condition.

• 1
  ATF3, a marker of cell injury, is upregulated in DRG neurons as early as day 1 after paclitaxel infusion. This indicates early neuronal stress or damage.
• 2
  Hypertrophy of DRG satellite cells and macrophage activation in the DRG and sciatic nerve occur later, around day 6. This suggests a secondary response to the initial neuronal injury.
• 3
  Microglial and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord is also observed starting at day 6, indicating central nervous system involvement in the neuropathy.