Nicotinamide riboside relieves paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and enhances suppression of tumor growth in tumor-bearing rats

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Hamity MV, White SR, Blum C, Gibson-Corley KN, Hammond DL

Abstract

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a vitamin B3 precursor of NAD+ that blunts diabetic and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in preclinical models. This study examined whether NR also blunts the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF) induced by paclitaxel, which is associated with peripheral neuropathy. The work was conducted in female rats with N-methyl-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced tumors of the mammary gland to increase its translational relevance, and to assess the interaction of NR with paclitaxel and NR’s effect on tumor growth. Once daily oral administration of 200 mg/kg NR p.o. beginning with the first of three i.v. injections of 6.6 mg/kg paclitaxel to tumor-bearing rats significantly decreased paclitaxel-induced hypersensitivity to tactile and cool stimuli, as well as place-escape avoidance behaviors. It also blunted the loss of IENF in tumor-bearing rats, as well as a separate cohort of tumor-naïve rats. Unexpectedly, concomitant administration of NR during paclitaxel treatment further decreased tumor growth; thereafter, tumor growth resumed at the same rate as vehicle-treated controls. Administration of NR also decreased the percentage of Ki67-positive tumor cells in these rats. Once daily administration of NR did not appear to alter tumor growth or the percentage of Ki67-positive tumor cells in rats that were not treated with paclitaxel and followed for three months. These results further support the ability of NR to play a protective role following nerve injury. They also suggest that NR may not only alleviate peripheral neuropathy in patients receiving taxane chemotherapy, but also offer an added benefit by possibly enhancing its tumor-suppressing effects.

Journal

Pain

Model

Rat

Impact Factor

6.029

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