Phosphatidylcholine does not protect rats against 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid-induced damage of the intestinal luminal mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
The study was performed to evaluate the ability of phosphatidylcholine (PPC) to modulate the toxicity of 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (5-FU/FA) in rats.


METHODS
Twenty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into four series, each consisting of 6--8 animals and administered 0.5 ml isotonic solution i.v. once a day. The series were as follows: 1) saline; 2) 20 mg 5-FU + 4 mg FA; 3) 30 mg 5-FU + 6 mg FA; 4) 2 weeks daily orally 50 mg PPC/kg body weight (b.w.), on day 12, 30 mg 5-FU + 6 mg FA. As an indicator of membrane luminal impairment, 72 h after an i.v. administration, peptidase activities were measured by using an in situ perfusion model.


RESULTS
The i.v. application of 5-FU/FA causes a clear reduction of enzyme activities in comparison to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In investigations with rats, we have shown that a low concentration of oral PPC (50 mg/kg b.w.) cannot protect the luminal mucosa membrane from being injured by the enterotoxic action of 5-FU/FA.
Fittkau
M
M
Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Strasse 24, 06097 Halle/Saale, Germany, marina.fittkau@medizin.uni-halle.de
Gerlach
R
R
Schmoll
H-J
HJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil