Conditioned nausea induced by cisplatin and emetine identified by a taste reactivity test in rats

Abstract

No prior studies have shown that gaping reactions are produced with the avoidance of conditioned taste caused by cisplatin and emetine. Therefore, we tried to demonstrate it using a taste reactivity test in rats and found the gaping reactions induced when saccharin is readministered after gustatory conditioning that paired saccharin with cisplatin or emetine. Since conditioned gaping reactions indicate the aversion to saccharin taste and conditioned nausea, the present study suggest that the taste aversion is induced by cisplatin and emetine. It was also found that with intraperitoneal injections of emetine alone, gaping almost never occurs.

Keywords: Cisplatin; Conditioned nausea; Conditioned taste aversion; Emetine; Gaping; Rats; Taste reactivity test.