Oral Nucleotides only Minimally Improve 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Mucositis in Rats

Chemotherapy-induced mucositis is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal mucosa, compromising intestinal function. Exogenous nucleotides have been reported to repair the mucosa. The nucleotide preparation, Nucleoforce F0328 (Nucleoforce), was investigated for its potential to ameliorate intestinal mucositis in rats. Female Dark Agouti rats (n = 8/group) were gavaged once daily with Nucleoforce (175 mg/kg) or water from Days 0 to 8 and injected (i.p.) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 150 mg/kg) or saline on Day 5. Histological parameters (disease severity, crypt depth, and villus height measurements) and myeloperoxidase activity were quantified. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Jejunal and ileal histological disease severity scores were significantly increased by 5-FU, compared to normal controls (P < 0.05). Nucleoforce treatment in 5-FU-injected rats significantly reduced jejunal and ileal disease severity compared to 5-FU controls (P < 0.05). In 5-FU-injected rats, jejunal and ileal...