Preliminary Study for Development of an Experimental Model of Cancer Chemotherapy Induced Diarrhea

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cancer chemotherapy induced diarrhea(CCID) is a frequent problem during anticancer treatment.Patho-physiology of CCID differs between chemotherapeuticagents. Neither there is specific treatment for CCID noradequate experimental models. The objective of this study wasto develop a relevant experimental animal model of CCID,which can help in development of specific therapy for CCID.Material and methods: In this study thirty six albino rats ofeither sex were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each. GroupI rats received distilled water and served as control. GroupII,III,IV, V, VI received 5-Fluorouracil(5-FU) once intraperitoneal(IP) at doses 10,20,30,40 and 50 mg/kg respectivelyand served as test groups for experimental model of CID.Standard parameters like stool samples for quality& quantity,incidence of diarrhea, histopathology of intestine and fataloutcome in rats were recorded.Results: Out of test groups, rats treated with 5-FU 30mg/kg IP single dose developed diarrhea in 50% rats,mean timefor onset of diarrhea was 84±16.7 hours and duration was62±9.16 hours, diarrhea subsided within 7 days with mildchanges of intestinal histopathology and 16.7% mortality.Occurrence of diarrhea, change in intestinal histopathologywas not remarkable with dosage less than 30mg/kg. In 5 FU40 mg/kg & 50mg/kg group incidence of diarrhea increased to66.6% but death rate were further increased to 33.3% in5 FU40 mg/kg& 83.3% with 50mg/kg.Conclusion: The results suggest 5-FU 30mg/kg single doseIP to albino rats can be used as a suitable experimental modelfor CCID for evaluation of novel potential candidate drugs fortreatment of CCID.