MitoVitE, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, limits paclitaxel-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in vitro, and paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat pain model

Paclitaxel affected mitochondrial function and glutathione in DRG cells, which was abrogated by MitoVitE but not Trolox, without decreasing cancer cell cytotoxicity. In rats, paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was ameliorated by MitoVitE treatment to an extent similar to duloxetine. These data confirm mitochondria as a mechanistic target for paclitaxel-induced damage and suggest mitochondria targeted antioxidants as future therapeutic strategies.