Evaluation of bovine lactoferrin as a topical therapy for chemotherapy-induced mucositis in the golden Syrian hamster.
Bovine lactoferrin was applied topically to the oral mucosa of Syrian hamsters and assessed for its ability to decrease the severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Results indicated that the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administered to hamsters on days 0 and 2 produced severe leukopenia between days 4 and 7 of the trial, and that severity of oral mucositis coincided with the suppressed immune state in these animals. Bovine lactoferrin applied continuously to oral wounds in hamsters induced by a combination of chemotherapy treatment and mild abrasion of the cheek pouch, failed to decrease the severity of mouth ulcers relative to a group receiving BSA as a control protein source. Hamster cheek pouches treated twice daily with lactoferrin had a significantly worse condition score between days 6 and 8, and days 12 and 13 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), a higher ulcer score between days 6 and 15 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) and larger ulcer area between days 7 and 14 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) compared to animals administered the control protein. Body weight changes between treatment and control groups showed no significant difference over the trial period. In contrast to the pre-study hypothesis, we report a detrimental effect from topical administration of bovine lactoferrin to the wounded oral mucosa of immunocompromised hamsters.
Clarke
J
J
Women's and Children's Hospital, Child Health Research Institute, Inc., North Adelaide SA, Australia.
Edwards
B
B
Srpek
L
L
Regester
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002610:Cheek; D006224:Cricetinae; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D007781:Lactoferrin; D005472:Fluorouracil