title: Effect of high-dose chemotherapy on intestinal permeability in humans.
abstract: 1. Mucositis is a common side-effect of chemotherapy which is difficult to assess except by invasive means such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Differential absorption of mono- and di-saccharides, such as rhamnose and lactulose, is a non-invasive measure of intestinal damage. 2. The purpose of the study was to assess the duration and severity of intestinal damage in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous blood stem-cell transplantation for malignant disease. 3. Thirty-five patients were studied before treatment and at 7, 28, 60 and 90 days after treatment. 4. The median lactulose/rhamnose ratios before treatment and at 7 and 90 days post-treatment were 0.09, 0.62 and 0.06 respectively. Altered permeability was due to both increased lactulose permeation and decreased rhamnose absorption. These abnormalities suggest a defect in tight-junction integrity as well as a decrease in surface area of small bowel. 5. We conclude that chemotherapy given for malignant disease is associated with a transient abnormality in intestinal sugar permeability, which peaks at 7 days after treatment and is composed of both mono- and di-saccharide absorption abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology-Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, South Australia.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kotasek
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sage
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects; D007792:Lactulose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D012210:Rhamnose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007792:Lactulose; D012210:Rhamnose