Frontiers in Pharmacology (Dec 2021)

Lyophilized Symbiotic Mitigates Mucositis Induced by 5-Fluorouracil

  • Bruna Savassi,
  • Bárbara F. Cordeiro,
  • Sara H. Silva,
  • Emiliano R. Oliveira,
  • Giovanna Belo,
  • Alessandra Gomes Figueiroa,
  • Maria Izabel Alves Queiroz,
  • Ana Maria Caetano Faria,
  • Juliana Alves,
  • Tales Fernando da Silva,
  • Gabriela Munis Campos,
  • Erick A. Esmerino,
  • Ramon S. Rocha,
  • Ramon S. Rocha,
  • Monica Q. Freitas,
  • Marcia C. Silva,
  • Adriano G. Cruz,
  • Kátia Duarte Vital,
  • Simone O.A. Fernandes,
  • Valbert N. Cardoso,
  • Leonardo Borges Acurcio,
  • Gwénaël Jan,
  • Yves Le Loir,
  • Alfonso Gala-Garcia,
  • Alfonso Gala-Garcia,
  • Fillipe Luiz R. do Carmo,
  • Fillipe Luiz R. do Carmo,
  • Vasco Azevedo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.755871
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Mucositis is an adverse effect of cancer chemotherapies using 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Some studies reported promising healing effects of probiotic strains, when associated with prebiotics, as adjuvant treatment of mucositis. We developed a lyophilized symbiotic product, containing skimmed milk, supplemented with whey protein isolate (WPI) and with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and fermented by Lactobacillus casei BL23, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B7, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B1. In a mice 5-FU mucositis model, this symbiotic lyophilized formulation was able to reduce weight loss and intestinal permeability. This last was determined in vivo by quantifying blood radioactivity after oral administration of 99mTc-DTPA. Finally, histological damages caused by 5-FU-induced mucositis were monitored. Consumption of the symbiotic formulation caused a reduced score of inflammation in the duodenum, ileum, and colon. In addition, it decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in the mice ileum. The symbiotic product developed in this work thus represents a promising adjuvant treatment of mucositis.

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