Emu oil expedites small intestinal repair following 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats

Abstract

Mucositis resulting from cancer chemotherapy is characterized by intestinal inflammation and ulceration. Previously, emu oil (EO) improved intestinal architecture (Br J Nutr, 2010) in a rat model of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. We investigated EO for its further potential to promote intestinal repair in this mucositis model. Female Dark Agouti rats (n = 8/group) were gavaged with water, olive oil (OO) or EO once daily (1 mL), injected with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or saline on day 5 and euthanized on day 8, 9, 10 or 11. Intestinal villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD), neutral mucin-secreting goblet cell (GC) count, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and selected cytokines were quantified; P < 0.05 was considered significant. In 5-FU-injected rats, only EO administration significantly increased VH in the ileum (day 8), jejunum and jejunum-ileum junction (days 8 and 9) compared to 5-FU controls (P < 0.05). GC count was significantly reduced by 5-FU (jejunum: days 8 and 9; ileum: day 8; P < 0.05) and EO increased ileal GC on days 10 and 11 compared to 5-FU controls. MPO activity was significantly increased in jejunum (days 8 and 9) and ileum (day 8) following 5-FU injection, compared to normal controls (P < 0.05). Both EO and OO significantly reduced jejunal MPO on days 8 and 9; however, only EO decreased ileal MPO on day 8. Cytokine levels were not significantly affected by either oil or 5-FU administration at the day 8 time point. Promotion of repair from injury could represent a new mechanism of action for EO, suggesting potential as an adjunct to conventional treatment approaches for cancer management.

The relationship between the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis and the myeloperoxidase levels in rats

“…This assessment revealed that some amount of MPO exists in normal tissue, as MPO is an enzyme present in neutrophils. 16,17 Several previous studies have also shown that some level of MPO exists in normal tissue. 19,20 Therefore, we conclude that it may be possible to reduce the severity of oral mucositis if the MPO levels in the irradiated tissues are maintained at low concentrations.…”

“…On days 7, 10, and 13 after irradiation, the degree of oral mucositis of the lingual dorsum in each rat was evaluated using a grading scale employed in previous experiments. 15,16 The bars represent the mean AE standard error of the mean (SEM). The data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.…”

“…On days 7, 10, and 13 following irradiation, the degree of oral mucositis of the lingual dorsum in each rat was evaluated by using a grading scale employed in past experiments (Table I). 16,17 MPO activity The rats in each group were sacrificed via an overdose of anesthesia. Four rats from each group were sacrificed at each of the following times after irradiation: immediately, and after 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, 10 days, and 13 days.…”

A review of complementary therapies for chemotherapy induced gastrointestinal mucositis

“…Significant decrease in activated neutrophil infiltration, improvement in crypt depth and villus height, decrease in acute inflammation and overall improvement in mucosal architecture in the intestine have been reported after Emu oil supplementation (84,85). Lyprinol, a lipid extract derived from mussels and rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids partially improved 5-FU induced GIM in rat models (86).…”

Basic Science Luminal

“…Although 5-FU significantly increased MPO levels (≥ 307%; P < 0.001) in all intestinal regions, compared to healthy controls, LDR significantly decreased ileal MPO activity (45%; P < 0.05) in 5-FU treated rats, compared to 5-FU controls; indicating a reduction of acute inflammation in the distal small intestine. (Mashtoub, 2013). However, the effects of Ostrich Oil (OO) remain unexplored.…”