Emu Oil Combined with Lyprinol™ Reduces Small Intestinal Damage in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced mucositis is characterized by inflammation and ulcerating lesions lining the alimentary tract. Emu Oil and Lyprinol™ have independently demonstrated their therapeutic potential in intestinal inflammatory disorders, including mucositis. We investigated Emu Oil and Lyprinol™ in combination for their further potential to alleviate chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats. Rats were gavaged with (1 ml) water, Olive Oil, Emu Oil + Olive Oil, Lyprinol™ + Olive Oil or Emu Oil + Lyprinol™ from Days 0 to 7, injected with saline (control) or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) on Day 5 and euthanized on Day 8. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (indicative of acute inflammation), histological severity scores, and intestinal architecture were quantified. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased in the jejunum and ileum following 5-FU, compared to saline controls. Both Olive Oil and Emu Oil + Lyprinol™ significantly reduced jejunal MPO levels (1.8-fold and 1.7-fold, respectively), whereas only Emu Oil + Lyprinol™ significantly decreased ileal MPO levels, relative to 5-FU controls. All oil treatments decreased histological severity scores in the jejunum and ileum, and normalized crypt depth in the mid small intestine, relative to 5-FU controls. Emu Oil combined with Lyprinol™ partially reduced acute small intestinal inflammation. Isolating bioactive constituents of these naturally sourced oils could provide a more targeted strategy to protect against intestinal mucositis.

Potential therapeutic applications for emu oil

“…Mashtoub et al (2013) investigated the effects of emu oil during the long-term recovery phase of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats revealing an enhanced rate of repair based upon crypt and villus lengthening and decreased small intestinal myeloperoxidase activity (indicative of acute inflammation) [9]. These results were further supported in a more recent study by using emu oil in combination with the green lipped mussel extract, lyprinol [10]. Moreover, emu oil has been demonstrated to counter chemotherapyinduced inflammation in bone, preserved osteoblasts and suppressed osteoclast formation, indicating its potential usefulness in preventing chemotherapy-induced bone loss [11].…”

“…These results were further supported in a more recent study by Mashtoub et al . (2016) using emu oil in combination with the green lipped mussel extract, lyprinol . Moreover, emu oil has been demonstrated to counter chemotherapy‐induced inflammation in bone, preserved osteoblasts and suppressed osteoclast formation, indicating its potential usefulness in preventing chemotherapy‐induced bone loss .…”

Intestinal homeostasis is restored in mice following a period of intestinal growth induced by orally administered Emu Oil

“…In a similar study of 5-FU-induced mucositis, Emu Oil in combination with the green-lipped mussel extract, Lyprinol, decreased myeloperoxidase activity, attenuated mid-small intestinal crypt depth blunting, and reduced histologically assessed intestinal damage severity. 9 Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of Emu Oil have been reaffirmed in a rat model of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy. 10 Villus and crypt lengthening (features of intestinal growth) may represent a mode of Emu Oil efficacy in models of colitis 6 and chemotherapy-induced mucositis.…”

“…More recently, well-controlled experimental studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and reparative properties of orally administered Emu Oil in intestinal disorders characterized by inflammation, ulceration, malabsorption, and mucosal damage. [6][7][8][9][10] In a rat model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, orally administered Emu Oil reduced colonic tissue damage and facilitated mucosal repair. 6 Improvements were indicated by reduced colonic damage and enhanced crypt elongation.…”

Animal models of mucositis: critical tools for advancing pathobiological understanding and identifying therapeutic targets

“…In dark agouti rats, 150 mg/kg has been shown to induce intestinal injury and clinically relevant endpoints [47]. This model has been extensively used by Howarth et al to study nutraceuticals designed to prevent mucositis [47][48][49][50][51][52][53], however there has been negligible translation of largely positive results. This group has also been the first to implement colonoscopic analysis of mucosal architecture in a model of colitis induced colorectal cancer [54], introducing a promising new method of mucositis assessment.…”