SCHWANN CELL DEGENERATION INDUCED BY DOXORUBICIN (ADRIAMYCIN)

Abstract
Doxorubicin is an anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic that acts at the cell nucleus by intercalating between base pairs of DNA, thus inhibiting DNA-directed mRNA synthesis. Intraneural microinjection of 0.19 - 0.38 μg of this substance into rat sciatic nerve results in a delayed subacute demyelination that is secondary to focal Schwann cell degeneration. Remyelination eventually occurs but is not complete until at least days 60–75 postinjection. Toxic Schwann cell disorders produced by agents such as doxorubicin may serve as useful models in understanding the pathogenesis of human demyelinative neuropathies.

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