5-Fluorouracil infusion reduces gut-associated lymphoid tissue cell number and mucosal immunoglobulin A levels.
BACKGROUND
Anticancer drugs have been demonstrated to affect gut mucosal morphology and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. We hypothesized that even small doses of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) would reduce gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) mass and function.


METHODS
Mice underwent IV cannulation and received continuous infusion of normal saline or 10 mg/kg of 5-FU for 5 days. GALT cell numbers, phenotypes, and mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were measured.


RESULTS
During the infusion, there were no significant differences in food intake or body weight change between the 2 groups. Cell yields from the intraepithelial space and lamina propria of the small intestine were lower in the 5-FU than the control group. The lamina propria CD4/CD8 ratio was reduced in the 5-FU compared with the control group. Intestinal and respiratory tract IgA levels were lower in the 5-FU than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
A small dose of 5-FU reduces GALT cell number and mucosal IgA levels, regardless of food intake.
Nagayoshi
Hidetoshi
H
Department of Surgery I, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Fukatsu
Kazuhiko
K
Ueno
Chikara
C
Hara
Etsuko
E
Maeshima
Yoshinori
Y
Omata
Jiro
J
Hiraide
Hoshio
H
Mochizuki
Hidetaka
H
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011897:Random Allocation
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D005472:Fluorouracil