Background/Objectives: Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic whose prolonged use is associated with peripheral neuropathy, hyperlactatemia, and metabolic acidosis. These adverse effects are primarily linked to the inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis, respiratory chain dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Given the central role of impaired energy metabolism and redox imbalance in drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function are of particular interest. Accordingly, this study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), pyridoxine, and thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) on linezolid-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in rats. Methods: Sixty male albino Wistar rats were assigned to ten groups: healthy (HG); ATP-only (ATPG, 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally); CoQ10-only (CQ10G, 10 mg/kg, orally); pyridoxine-only (PDXG, 50 mg/kg, orally); TPP-only (TPPG, 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally); linezolid-only (LZDG, 125 mg/kg, orally); linezolid+ATP (ATLG); linezolid+CoQ10 (CQLG); linezolid+pyridoxine (PXLG); and linezolid+TPP (TPLG). Treatments were administered once daily for ATP, CoQ10, and TPP, and twice daily for linezolid and pyridoxine for 14 days. Oxidative stress indices (MDA, tGSH, SOD, CAT) were quantified in the sciatic nerve using ELISA. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and blood lactate levels were determined to evaluate metabolic disturbances. Mechanical paw withdrawal thresholds were measured using the Randall–Selitto test both before and after treatment. Results: Linezolid significantly reduced paw withdrawal thresholds and induced oxidative stress, antioxidant depletion, increased LDH activity, and hyperlactatemia. Co-treatment with ATP and CoQ10 attenuated oxidative stress but did not significantly improve linezolid-induced reductions in nociceptive thresholds. In contrast, pyridoxine partially alleviated linezolid-induced neuropathic pain and improved biochemical parameters. Notably, TPP exerted the most robust protective effect, preserving nociceptive thresholds and effectively normalizing oxidative stress and metabolic indices. Conclusions: These findings identify TPP as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating linezolid-induced peripheral neuropathic pain by targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism and pyruvate–lactate homeostasis.
Ozgodek et al. (Sun,) studied this question.