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.
Highlights
Intestinal mucositis is a common side effect of anti-cancer drugs [1]
In the chitosan inflammation and villus height were lower in the surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SDACNFs) than in the control and cellulose nanofiber (CLNF) groups
Apoptosis is an important consequence of intestinal mucositis induced by anti-cancer drugs such as 5-FU [24,25,26,27]; we observed an increase in the number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive apoptotic cells in the intestinal crypt of control mice, which was abolished in the SDACNF and chitosan groups
Summary
Intestinal mucositis is a common side effect of anti-cancer drugs [1]. The antimetabolite anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used to treat malignancies as it improves tumor-free status and survival rates [2]. 50%–80% of patients treated with 5-FU exhibit mucositis as a side effect, with symptoms including severe diarrhea [3,4,5]. This often necessitates a reduction in drug dosage or even discontinuation of the treatment, which limits the success of cancer chemotherapy. Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide of the chitin family derived from partial deacetylation of chitin [6] It is a copolymer comprising (1 → 4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan (N-acetyl-Dglucosamine) and (1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan (D-glucosamine) units distributed throughout the biopolymer chain either randomly or as a block, depending on the specific method of deacetylation [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
