Protective effect of vitamin A on ARA-C induced intestinal damage in mice.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cytarabine (ARA-C) has been used for many years in the treatment of patients with leukemia and lymphoma. Gastrointestinal ulceration and mucositis are two of the well-known side effects of ARA-C. We set out to investigate whether vitamin A (VA) can help prevent ARA-C-induced mucosal lesions in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were divided into 5 groups. Group I (control group) received only saline; group II received ARA-C plus saline; group III received ARA-C plus VA; group IV received ARA-C plus a lipid solution, and group V received VA alone. VA (5000 IU/kg) was administered orally to the mice once daily for 7 days. ARA-C (3.6 mg) was administered intraperitoneally for 5 days to groups II, III and IV, starting on the third day of VA treatment. Intestinal segments from the proximal end of the jejunum of treated mice were isolated. RESULTS: There was improved mucosal integrity, less necrosis and increased villus length with advanced mucosal proliferation in crypts in the VA plus ARA-C group when compared to the ARA-C groups without VA. CONCLUSION: We conclude that VA has a protective effect against ARA-C-induced mucosal damage in mice.