BMC Research Notes (Jul 2018)

Tumor growth activity of duloxetine in Ehrlich carcinoma in mice

  • Ed Carlos Rey Moura,
  • Plinio da Cunha Leal,
  • Izabel Cristina Portela Bogéa Serra,
  • Bruno de Paulo Ribeiro,
  • Johnny Ramos do Nascimento,
  • Flavia Raquel Fernandes do Nascimento,
  • Rioko Kimiko Sakata

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3655-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 4

Abstract

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Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to analyze whether duloxetine influences tumor growth in Ehrlich carcinoma. The mice were administered 5 or 30 mg/kg of duloxetine or saline solution. All animals were inoculated with tumor cells. The tumor progression was evaluated by body weight, abdominal circumference, ascites volume and tumor cell count. The effect of duloxetine on immune response was evaluated by lymphoid cells, nitric oxide (NO) production, arginase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the spleen immunophenotyping. Results There was no difference between the groups regarding weight, abdominal circumference, ascites volume and number of tumor cells. Duloxetine increased the cells of the inguinal lymph node. There was no difference in the number of cells in the bone marrow and spleen. Ascites SOD activity was greater in Duloxetine groups. There were no differences in the levels of NO, nitrite, and arginase. The number of antibody for CD3 (CD3+), CD4+, CD8+ and CD28+ cells was lower in the duloxetine groups. In conclusion, duloxetine has no direct effect on tumor growth and does not alter immunity. The drug increased the SOD that fights free radicals and led the migration of lymphocytes, suggesting that duloxetine could be used in tumor-bearing individuals.

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