Effects of vincristine and monosodium glutamate on gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensitivity

• Published in: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2024-01, Vol.36 (1), p.e14704-n/a
• Main Authors: López‐Tofiño, Yolanda, Sosa, Francisca, Vera, Gema, López‐Gómez, Laura, Herradón, Esperanza, López‐Miranda, Visitación, Nurgali, Kulmira, Uranga, José A., Abalo, Raquel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Balloon treatment; Body weight gain; Chemotherapy; Cisplatin; Drinking water; Filaments; Food additives; Food intake; gastric emptying; Gastric motility; Ileum; intestinal transit; Monosodium glutamate; Motility; peripheral neuropathy; Side effects; Small intestine; Vincristine; visceral pain
• ISSN: 1350-1925; 1365-2982
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14704

Background Chemotherapy‐induced adverse effects are an unresolved nightmare. In preclinical studies in rats, the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG) improved some of the side effects caused by cisplatin, but its effects in other models of chemotherapy‐treated animals are not well known. The aim of this study was to test if MSG may improve some of the adverse effects induced by vincristine in rats. Methods Young male Wistar rats were exposed or not to MSG (4 g L−1) in drinking water from week 0 till 1 week after treatment (week 3). Rats received two cycles of five daily intraperitoneal (ip) injections (Monday to Friday, weeks 1 and 2) of either saline (2 mL kg−1) or vincristine (0.1 mg kg−1). Gastrointestinal motility was measured in vivo by radiological methods after the first and tenth ip administrations. On week 3, the threshold for mechanical somatic and colorectal sensitivity was recorded using Von Frey filaments applied to the paws and an intracolonic balloon, respectively. Finally, samples of the terminal ileum and distal colon were histologically evaluated in sections. Key Results Vincristine reduced body weight gain, food intake, and upper gastrointestinal transit, caused somatic (but not visceral) hypersensitivity and increased the thickness of the submucosal and muscle layers of the small intestine. In vincristine‐treated animals, MSG partially prevented gastrointestinal dysmotility and reduced visceral sensitivity but did not improve structural alterations of the small intestine. Conclusions & Inferences MSG could be used as an adjuvant to conventional treatments to improve some gastrointestinal dysfunctions caused by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy with vincristine (VC) causes gastrointestinal dysmotility, neuropathic pain, and intestinal histological damage. The addition of the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG) to the drinking water prevents gastrointestinal motility alterations and decreases colorectal sensitivity in rats treated with this antitumor drug.