Protective effect of polysaccharides isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. polysaccharides (PCCL) on 5-fluorouracil-(5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis (IM) in mice. Methods: PCCL was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg­1 for 7 days and its protective effect on 5-FU-induced IM (5-FU, 50 mg·kg­1 for 5 days) was evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, degree of diarrhea, levels of tissue inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1ß levels), apoptosis rates, and the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. Results: The severity of mucosal injury (as reflected by body weight changes, degree of diarrhea, height of villi, and damage to crypts) was significantly attenuated by PCCL administration. PCCL also reduced the levels of tissue inflammatory factors, the apoptosis rate, and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax, and increased Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: PCCL administration may be significantly protective against 5-FU-induced IM by inhibiting apoptosis and regulating the abnormal inflammation associated with it.

Successful multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in a patient with severe hematological toxicity by methotrexate: case report and literature review / Diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas bem-sucedida em paciente com grave toxicidade hematológica por metotrexato: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

Abstract Methotrexate is an effective medication to control several diseases; however, it can be very toxic, being myelosuppression one of its main adverse effects, which increases in severity and frequency in patients with renal failure. We present the case of a 68-year-old man with chronic, end-stage renal disease associated with ANCA vasculitis, under treatment with peritoneal dialysis, who received the medication at a low dose, indicated by disease activity, which presented as a complication with severe pancytopenia with mucositis that improved with support measures and multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis. We reviewed 20 cases published to date of pancytopenia associated with methotrexate in patients on dialysis and found high morbidity and mortality, which is why its use in this type of patient is not recommended. However, when this complication occurs, a therapeutic option could be the use of multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in addition to supportive therapy for drug-related toxicity, although it is recognized that studies are required to show the role of multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in the removal of this medication.

Resumo Apesar de sua toxicidade, o metotrexato é um medicamento eficaz no controle de várias doenças. A mielossupressão, um de seus principais efeitos adversos, aumenta em gravidade e frequência nos pacientes com insuficiência renal. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 68 anos de idade com doença renal terminal relacionada à vasculite associada ao ANCA em diálise peritoneal, que recebeu a medicação em dose baixa em função da atividade da doença e que teve como complicação pancitopenia grave com mucosite, tratada com medidas de suporte e diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas. Revisamos 20 casos publicados até o presente momento sobre pancitopenia associada a metotrexato em pacientes em diálise. Foi identificada alta morbidade e mortalidade, razão pela qual seu uso nesse tipo de paciente não é recomendado. No entanto, quando esta complicação ocorre, uma opção terapêutica pode ser o uso de diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas, além da terapia de suporte para toxicidade medicamentosa. Maiores estudos são necessários para demonstrar o papel da diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas na remoção desse medicamento.

Clinical outcome of sodium alginate therapy in radiation-induced pharyngeal mucositis: experience of a single Japanese institution

Purpose: We investigated the clinical outcome of sodium alginate treatment in radiation-induced pharyngeal mucositis (RIPM) after neck irradiation. Materials and methods: The study population included 32 patients (11 lung cancer, 10 breast cancer, 7 head and neck cancer, and 4 other primary lesions) who underwent neck external beam radiotherapy at the authors' institution between June 2006 and 2016. The patients received 5% sodium alginate solution orally for RIPM. Those who were followed up for less than 2 months or did not receive 5% sodium alginate were excluded from this retrospective study. RIPM was graded weekly as an acute toxicity according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4. The administration of 10-15 ml of sodium alginate before each meal was continued until the radiotherapy was completed and after resolution of odynophagia. The efficacy of sodium alginate was assessed by two radiation oncologists as follows: Grade I, ineffective; grade II, moderately effective; grade III, very effective. When sodium alginate was ineffective, other analgesics, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or opioids, were added. Relationships between the presence/absence of additional analgesics and the radiation dose were investigated. Results: The median duration from the start of irradiation to sodium alginate administration was 15 days (range, 5­36 days). RIPM improved in 29/32 patients (grade: II, n = 22; III, n = 7). Three patients showed no improvement. No sodium alginate-related toxicities occurred. Additional analgesics were required in 5/32 patients. The radiation dose in these 5 patients was significantly higher than that in the sodium alginate-alone group (63.6 ± 7.8 Gy vs 48.3 ± 14.8Gy, P = 0.02). Patients who received > 50 Gy tended to require additional analgesics more frequently than those who received ≤50Gy (P = 0.10). Conclusions: The concurrent administration of sodium alginate and neck irradiation was feasible and tolerable without obvious toxicities. Under certain conditions sodium alginate could be a promising alternative to NSAIDs and opioids in RIPM. The results justify further prospective evaluations with detailed treatment protocols to clarify whether sodium alginate can improve RIPM (AU)

Alanyl-glutamine attenuates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Apolipoprotein E (APOE=gene, apoE=protein) is a known factor regulating the inflammatory response that may have regenerative effects during tissue recovery from injury. We investigated whether apoE deficiency reduces the healing effect of alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) treatment, a recognized gut-trophic nutrient, during tissue recovery after 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. APOE-knockout (APOE-/-) and wild-type (APOE+/+) C57BL6J male and female mice (N=86) were given either Ala-Gln (100 mM) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) by gavage 3 days before and 5 days after a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) challenge (450 mg/kg, via intraperitoneal injection). Mouse body weight was monitored daily. The 5-FU cytotoxic effect was evaluated by leukometry. Intestinal villus height, villus/crypt ratio, and villin expression were monitored to assess recovery of the intestinal absorptive surface area. Crypt length, mitotic, apoptotic, and necrotic crypt indexes, and quantitative real-time PCR for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) intestinal mRNA transcripts were used to evaluate intestinal epithelial cell turnover. 5-FU challenge caused significant weight loss and leukopenia (P<0.001) in both mouse strains, which was not improved by Ala-Gln. Villus blunting, crypt hyperplasia, and reduced villus/crypt ratio (P<0.05) were found in all 5-FU-challenged mice but not in PBS controls. Ala-Gln improved villus/crypt ratio, crypt length and mitotic index in all challenged mice, compared with PBS controls. Ala-Gln improved villus height only in APOE-/- mice. Crypt cell apoptosis and necrotic scores were increased in all mice challenged by 5-FU, compared with untreated controls. Those scores were significantly lower in Ala-Gln-treated APOE+/+ mice than in controls. Bcl-2 and IGF-1 mRNA transcripts were reduced only in the APOE-/--challenged mice. Altogether our findings suggest APOE-independent Ala-Gln regenerative effects after 5-FU challenge.

Preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis of head and neck cancers: a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Mucositis is one of the acute complications of radiotherapy which can ulcerate oral mucosa and cause severe pain and discomfort which can affect oral normal function. Propolis is a natural source of flavenoid which has antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Using such an affordable compound without any bad smell or taste that has reasonable price can help the radiotherapy undergoing patients

Objectives: Our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer

Patients and Methods: In a randomized triple blind clinical trial, 20 patient were selected randomly to swish and swallow 15 ml of water based extract of propolis mouth wash 3 times a day in the case group [n = 10] and 15 ml placebo mouth wash in control group [n = 10]. We use NIC-CTC scale for determining mucositis grading

Results: We use T-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square, and Friedman as analyzing tests. Case group had significantly [P < 0.05] lower grade of mucositis in all of the follow-ups, but xerostomia is not significantly different in two groups [P > 0.05]

Conclusions: This is a pilot study which shows water based extract of propolis efficiently prevents and heals radiotherapy induced mucositis

Laserterapia no tratamento da mucosite oral induzida por quimioterapia: relato de caso / Laserphototherapy on treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: case report

A mucosite oral (MO) é uma inflamação aguda dolorosa que acomete pacientes da submetidos ao tratamento antineoplásico, incluindo altas doses de quimioterapia e radioterapia na região de cabeça e pescoço. Nas últimas décadas, o laser de baixa potência tem sido utilizado como uma terapia eficaz na prevenção e tratamento destas lesões, com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade de vida destes pacientes, assim como a não interrupção do tratamento antineoplásico. Neste relato, abordaremos o efeito da fototerapia com laser em baixa intensidade (FLBI) no tratamento da MO (grau 3-OMS) de uma paciente de 57 anos submetida à quimioterapia com cilplastina e 5-fluorouracil para o tratamento de um carcinoma espinocelular no intestino. A FLBI foi realizado com um laser de diodo de 0,04cm2 de área de feixe, no comprimento de onda de 660nm, com 40mW, na dose de 6J/cm2 , o que resulta em 0.24J por ponto. O modo de aplicação foi em contato e perpendicular à mucosa, em toda a cavidade oral. Após cinco sessões, foi observada cicatrização total das lesões, o que resultou na melhora das funções orais básicas e consequente aumento da qualidade de vida da paciente.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating acute inflammation of patients undergoing cancer therapy including high doses of chemotherapy or head and neck radiotherapy. An increasing number of studies have been reported that support low intensity laser therapy (L1LT) as an efficacious technique for the prevention and management of oral mucositis, increasing patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was evaluate the L1LT as OM treatment through the report of a clinical case. A 57-year-old woman diagnosed with intestinal spinocellular carcinoma, showed OM score 3 (WHO) after 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin chemotherapy. A diode laser, 0.04 em- of spot area, 660nm, 40mW, 6J/cm2 and 0.24J per point was used. The irradiation mode was perpendicular and in contact throughout the oral cavity. After five applications it was observed a total wound healing, which improved the basic oral functions and increased the patient quality of life.

Piodermatite-pioestomatite vegetante: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans: case report and review of medical literarture

A piodermatite-pioestomatite vegetante é uma rara dermatose inflamatória de etiologia desconhecida, com típico comprometimento mucocutâneo. Relatamos caso de paciente feminina com lesões pustulosas e vesiculosas em axilas, evoluindo com placas vegetantes e pústulas com agrupamento anular. Houve progressão com comprometimento vulvar, inguinal e mucosas oral, nasal e ocular. Proposto o diagnóstico, optou-se por iniciar prednisona 40mg ao dia, com remissão das lesões após um mês de uso da medicação. A associação com doença inflamatória intestinal ocorre em 70 por cento dos casos. A imunofluorescência é um fator que ajuda a caracterizar a doença, sendo tipicamente negativa. A rápida resposta à terapêutica com corticosteroides sistêmicos é esperada.

Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology, with a typical mucocutaneous involvement. We report the case of a woman with pustular and vesicular lesions in the axillae, evolving with vegetating plaques and pustules with annular grouping. The disease progressed with vulvar and inguinal involvement as well as involvement of the oral, nasal and ocular mucous membranes. She started the treatment with prednisone (40 mg/day), with remission of the lesions after one month of use of such medication. Association with inflammatory bowel disease occurs in 70 percent of the cases. Immunofluorescence, which is typically negative, helps to characterize the disease. A rapid response to systemic steroids is expected.

La mucositis y su tratamiento: protocolos de manejo y recomendaciones / Mucositis and its treatment: management and recommendations protocols

La mucositis es la inflamación del tejido oral y una de las complicaciones que se presentan con mayor frecuencia entre los pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia y radioterapia en el Departamento de Estomatología Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario del Valle, en la ciudad de Cali, entidad que cubre a todo el sur occidente colombiano. Debido a esto se realizó una revisión de la literatura con el fin de profundizar en el tema, para buscar diversas alternativas de manejo que puedan ayudar a disminuir su aparición, tratarla eficazmente, aliviar la sintomatología y mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente. De acuerdo con la literatura revisada el sucralfate ha presentado buenos resultados en las pruebas clínicas, por lo cual se recomendó su inclusión dentro del protocolo empleado en el Hospital Universitario del Valle para el manejo de la mucositis.

Mucositis is the inflammation of the oral tissue and it is one of the most frequently presented complications among the chemotherapy and radiotherapy subjected patients at the Pediatric Dentistry Department of Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali. Due to this, a literature revision was carried out with the purpose of deepening in the topic, looking for diverse therapeutic alternatives that can help to diminish the appearance, to treat it efficiently and to alleviate the symptoms and to improve the patient’s life quality. Sucralfate, according to the literature, has presented good results in clinical tests, that are why the Hospital Universitario del Valle has adopted it in its mucositis therapy protocol.