EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON CISPLATIN-INDUCED DELAY IN GASTRIC-EMPTYINGIN RATS

Cisplatin causes severe nausea and vomiting and also suppresses gastri c emptying. Antioxidants have been shown to exert antiemetic effects a gainst cisplatin induced emesis. In the present study, the effect of a ntioxidants-glutathione, N-2-(mercaptopropionyl)glycine (tiopronin), v itamin E, vitamin C and a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C was i nvestigated against cisplatin induced delay in gastric emptying, in a rat model. Pretreatment with these antioxidants significantly reversed the cisplatin induced delay in gastric emptying. This effect of antio xidants may help in the improvement of other accompanying gastrointest inal symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and also contribute to thei r antiemetic efficacy against cytotoxic drugs. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce B.V.