A Rat Model for Oral Mucositis Induced by a Single Administration of 5-Fluorouracil

• Published in: In vivo (Athens) 2023-01, Vol.37 (1), p.218-224
• Main Authors: Kim, DO Hyung, Choi, Jungeun, Lim, Yun-Sung, Huh, Hee Jin, Cho, Chang Gun, Kim, Bo Hae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Fluorouracil - adverse effects; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Mucositis - pathology; Rats; Stomatitis - chemically induced; Stomatitis - drug therapy; Stomatitis - pathology; Ulcer - pathology
• ISSN: 0258-851X; 1791-7549
• DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13070

This study aimed to develop a reliable chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM) rat model by intraperitoneally administering a single dosage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with a chemical stimulus. The 5-FU dosage for CIOM development was determined by the survival rate of rats administrated 160 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 240 mg/kg of 5-FU. Thirty rats were assigned to normal control (NC) and three experimental groups: i) ulcer formation without 5-FU administration (PBS/U+), ii) 5-FU administration without ulcer formation (5-FU/U-), and iii) ulcer formation after 5-FU administration (5-FU/U+). White blood cell count and weight were measured at the day of 5-FU administration (D0), ulcer formation (D2), and two days after ulcer formation (D4). The oral mucosa for histologic evaluations was obtained two (D4) and five days (D7) after ulcer formation. The 5-FU dosage for CIOM development was 200 mg/kg. White blood cell count (WBC) counts and weight of rats were significantly lower in 5-FU/U- (WBC, p