Improvement of intestinal toxicity of 5-fluorouracil by conagenin, a low molecular immunomodulator.
The effect of conagenin (CNG) on intestinal toxicity induction by 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) was investigated. In mice given sublethal doses of 5-Fu (50mg/kg, i.v.) for 5 consecutive days, a decrease in body weight and diarrhea accompanied with hemorrhaging of the duodenum, atrophy of cecum and reduced small intestine length appeared. The administration of CNG in combination with 5-Fu inhibited thoe side effects induced by 5-Fu. Although all mice given 5-Fu alone were died within 13 days, 3 out of 10 mice treated with CNG survived for more than 21 days. The cytotoxicity of 5-Fu was not affected by CNG in vitro. The antitumor activity of 5-Fu was improved by CNG in increasing the number of surviving mice.
Institute for Chemotherapy, M.C.R.F., Shizuoka, Japan.
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M
Kawatsu
T
T
Yamashita
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M
Ishizuka
T
T
Takeuchi
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012694:Serine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; C069645:conagenin; D012694:Serine; D005472:Fluorouracil