Oral Administration of Surface-Deacetylated Chitin Nanofibers and Chitosan Inhibit 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis in Mice

Abstract

This study investigated the prophylactic effects of orally administered surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SDACNFs) and chitosan against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis, which is a common side effect of 5-FU chemotherapy. SDACNFs and chitosan abolished histological abnormalities associated with intestinal mucositis and suppressed hypoproliferation and apoptosis of intestinal crypt cells. These results indicate that SDACNF and chitosan are useful agents for preventing mucositis induced by anti-cancer drugs.

Histological and immunohistochemical study of the potential healing effects of glucosamine and platelets rich plasma on experimentally induced oral mucositis in adult male rats

“…Caspase-3 is the major downstream effector in apoptosis. Some researchers reported that 5 -Flurouracil induces DNA damage and the production of reactive oxygen species, deteriorates the metabolism in progenitor cells and causes inhibition of mitosis and rises of apoptosis [2,3,6,27]. Other scientists [5,23,24] found that the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents as 5-FU decreases proliferation of cells of mucosa, also impairment of their cellular renewal or regeneration and thus lead to significant decrease of PCNA immunostaining expression of the mucosal cells.…”

“…Oral mucositis is induced as result from the most debilitating side effects of chemotherapy treatment, the most famous one is 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), radiotherapy and various forms of trauma as mechanical, chemical or thermal agitation of the mucosa [1,6].…”

Topical application of ointment containing 0.5% green tea catechins suppresses tongue oxidative stress in 5-fluorouracil administered rats

“…In a previous study, mucositis was reported to be induced via daily i.p. injection of 50 mg/kg 5-FU for 4 days (Koizumi et al, 2017). On the other hand, the present model involved i.p.…”

Raltitrexed versus 5‐fluorouracil with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An open labeled, randomized, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial

“…Because a combination of cisplatin with 5-FU based on past experiences was also frequently used, 22 we compared SP with FP rather than with cisplatin alone. 5-FU, an antimetabolite medication that act as a anti-pyrimidine by impeding DNA synthesis by reticence of enzyme thymidylate synthase (TS), 23 could induce and aggravate OM during CCRT, [24][25][26] and would result in extension of treatment plan along with decrease in drug dosage, restriction on the success of cancer chemotherapy, suspension of the treatment, and finally a decrease in survival rate. 25,26 Injuries related to OM cause severe pain, difficulty swallowing and speech and reduced quality of patient life.…”

“…5-FU, an antimetabolite medication that act as a anti-pyrimidine by impeding DNA synthesis by reticence of enzyme thymidylate synthase (TS), 23 could induce and aggravate OM during CCRT, [24][25][26] and would result in extension of treatment plan along with decrease in drug dosage, restriction on the success of cancer chemotherapy, suspension of the treatment, and finally a decrease in survival rate. 25,26 Injuries related to OM cause severe pain, difficulty swallowing and speech and reduced quality of patient life. Moreover it affects the patient with a greater risk of systemic and local contamination and delays the ability to give the planned dosage of cancer therapy, thus giving a threat to life of patient and increasing the hospital stay of patient as well.…”