5-HT1A receptor agonists, xaliproden and tandospirone, inhibit the increase in the number of cutaneous mast cells involved in the exacerbation of mechanical allodynia in oxaliplatin-treated mice

Oxaliplatin causes peripheral neuropathy as a major dose-limiting side effect, and the control of this neuropathy is difficult. This study was designed to investigate whether prophylactic repetitive administration of 5-HT1A receptor agonists inhibits oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. Repetitive administration of 5-HT1A receptor agonists (xaliproden and tandospirone) inhibited mechanical allodynia induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of oxaliplatin. These agonists also inhibited oxaliplatin-induced mast cell migration, which is involved in the induction of mechanical allodynia. These results suggest that the prophylactic repetitive administration of 5-HT1A receptor agonists attenuates oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia by inhibiting the cutaneous mast cell migration.