Ostrich oil failed to improve intestinal barrier function following 5‐fluorouracil‐induced mucositis in rats (1111.5)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Mucositis is characterized by intestinal barrier disruption following chemotherapy. Emu Oil promoted small intestinal repair in a rat model of mucositis (Mashtoub, 2013). However, the effects of Ostrich Oil (OO) remain unexplored. We investigated the effects of OO on mucin‐secreting goblet cells (GC) during the recovery phase of mucositis. METHODS. Female Dark Agouti rats were allocated to groups (n=8/group): Saline+Water; Saline+OO; 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU)+Water; 5‐FU+OO. Mucositis was induced on day 5 by 5‐FU injection and rats were euthanized on day 10. Intestinal villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and GC were quantified. p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS. Compared to water controls, VH was increased 15% by OO (p<0.05), however, VH was unaffected by 5‐FU. 5‐FU tended to decrease GC count in the villi, relative to water controls (p=0.069). GC count was unaffected by OO in 5‐FU‐treated rats compared to 5‐FU controls. CD was increased 24% by 5‐FU (p<0.01); an effect that was not altered by OO. 5‐FU reduced GC count in crypts (33%; p<0.01) compared to water controls. However, OO did not attenuate the decrease in GC count in 5‐FU‐treated rats. CONCLUSIONS. Ostrich Oil treatment failed to improve intestinal barrier function indicated by mucin‐secreting goblet cells. As this is the first report of Ostrich Oil in bowel disease, further studies are required to explore dosage and timing regimens.Grant Funding Source: Supported by The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Australia