title: Combined Effects of Muricid Extract and 5-Fluorouracil on Intestinal Toxicity in Rats.
abstract: Chemotherapy drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil (5FU), are the standard approach for cancer and are associated with several peripheral toxicities. We previously demonstrated that Muricidae marine molluscs exhibit chemopreventive properties. This study investigated the combined effect of muricid extract derived from Dicathais orbita, with 5FU, on intestinal toxicity in rats. Groups of rats were orally gavaged water, muricid extract, or sunflower oil, with or without 5FU (150 mg/kg). Metabolic data was collected daily and small intestinal brush border enzyme activity was measured by sucrose breath test (SBT). Blood was collected by cardiac puncture for whole blood analysis. Intestinal biopsies were taken for histopathology. Neutrophil activity was measured by myeloperoxidase activity. No additional toxicity effects were observed in rats receiving the combination of 5FU and muricid extract compared to 5FU alone, as indicated by SBT, histopathology, and myeloperoxidase activity. Intestinal integrity was protected from 5FU-induced damage in the sunflower oil vehicle group, compared to controls, as measured by SBT, villus height, and crypt depth. We concluded that combination of muricid extract and 5FU did not confer any additional intestinal toxicity, further supporting its potential as a chemopreventive food product. In this model system, sunflower oil partially protected against 5FU-induced intestinal toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; Basil Hetzel Institute, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia ; Gastroenterology Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia ; School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yazbeck
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; Marine Ecology Research Center, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Benkendorff
authors.affiliation: Basil Hetzel Institute, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia ; Gastroenterology Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia ; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia.
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Howarth