Alleviation of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in rats by vitamin E via targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.

BackgroundIntestinal mucositis is a major concern related with cancer therapy. It is well established that overproduction of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators plays vital role in the pathogenesis of mucositis. The aim of the study was to investigate the modulatory effect of vitamin E (vit. E) on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis by targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in rats. MethodsRats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. All four-group animals received normal standard diet and water throughout the experimental period which last up to 10 days. Rats were gavaged with vit. E (300 mg/kg b. wt.) daily for 10 days (day 1-10) and were given intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg b. wt.) or saline (control) on day 8 to induce mucositis. Results We found that vit. E supplementation ameliorated 5-FU-induced lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity, activation of nuclear factor κB, expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and mucin depletion. Vit. E administration also attenuated 5-FU-induced histological anomalies such as neutrophil infiltration, loss of cellular integrity, villus and crypt deformities. ConclusionsFindings of the study suggest that vit. E inhibits 5-FU-induced mucositis via modulation of oxidative stress, activation of redox sensitive transcription factor and its downstream targets.

Effect of vitamin D on bioavailability and lipid lowering efficacy of simvastatin.

The 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) inhibitors known as "statins" are widely prescribed for the management of dyslipidemia. In spite of their muscle toxicity, use of statins has alarmingly increased worldwide. A recent report suggests that vitamin D (VD) levels are closely associated with lipid lowering activity and muscular toxicity of statins. However, data are limited and inconclusive. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of VD supplementation on the bioavailability and lipid lowering effect of simvastatin (ST). Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats (250 ± 10 g) were divided into four groups including control, ST (100 mg/kg/day), VD (100 µg/kg/day) and ST + VD group, respectively. After the dosing period of 8 days the animals were sacrificed and the blood was collected for the analysis of ST, its active metabolite simvastatin acid (STA), total cholesterol, triglyceride and liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. The result of this study showed a significant decrease in the level of cholesterol and triglyceride in ST alone treated group, whereas VD alone failed to alter the blood lipid levels. Concomitant treatment with VD produced significant decrease in the bioavailability of ST and STA. However, there was no significant difference in the level of cholesterol in ST alone and in ST + VD treated group. Our results on the liver enzyme suggest that ST alone or in combination with VD does not produce any hepatotoxicity. Further studies using VD along with various statins for a longer duration are suggested.