Reversal by NGF of cytostatic drug-induced reduction of neurite outgrowth in rat dorsal root ganglia in vitro

Quantitation of neurite growth parameters in explant cultures using a new image processing program

“…The relation between neurite length and NGF concentration has been reported previously (Greenebaum et al, 1996;Sisken et al, 1990) while a similar correlation has been reported for neurite area using an "interactive system" (Konings et al, 1994). In addition we found that NGF produced growth differences in the center area and neurite density although the significance is not as high as it was in the other parameters.…”

Neurotrophic Factors and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

“…There are also some data to suggest that, contrary to expectations, NGF may also ameliorate some types of large-fibre neuropathy. In tissue culture, Konings et al [31]have reported that NGF could prevent cisplatin-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth in vitro. Windebank et al [38], however, demonstrated that NGF was unable to prevent cisplatin-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth in dorsal root ganglion explant cultures [38].…”

“…NGF is also able to prevent the loss of foetal mouse dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons exposed to paclitaxel in vitro [29]. At lower concentrations, paclitaxel inhibits neurite outgrowth from sensory and sympathetic explant cultures, but, when cultured with NGF, this inhibition is prevented [30, 31]. The combined treatment of PC12 cells with paclitaxel and NGF results in unusually large neurites and increased microtubule density, in excess of what could be seen with NGF alone [32].…”

Impact of Exogenous Neurotropic Factor Administration on Occurrence and Severity of Paclitaxel-Induce Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients. An open label Pilot Study.

“…Nerve growth factor prevented the decrease in compound motor action potential and increased the threshold of thermally induced pain induced by cisplatin and paclitaxel in animal models 30 . Even though NGF has not been tested in humans; it demonstrated a counteracting effect for the reduction of neurite outgrowth from rat dorsal root ganglion in vitro, induced by cisplatin, vincristine or paclitaxel 31 . Hence, the research team of this pilot study hypothesized that exogenous NGF may have a potential role in preventing PIPN.…”