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Review
. 2022 May;49(5):4055-4059.
doi: 10.1007/s11033-022-07384-3. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Possible cytoprotective mechanisms of oxytocin against 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal mucositis

Ugochukwu Chukwunyere  1 , Merve Mercan  2 , Ahmet Ozer Sehirli  3 , Nurettin Abacioglu  2
Affiliations
Review

Possible cytoprotective mechanisms of oxytocin against 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal mucositis

Ugochukwu Chukwunyere et al. Mol Biol Rep. 2022 May.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal mucositis is a common and dose-limiting side effect characterized by ulcerative lesions in the mucosa of the digestive tract in patients receiving anticancer drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a potent antineoplastic drug. Several protocols have reported the efficacy of therapeutic interventions to prevent this side effect, although complete success has not yet been achieved and mucositis remains one of the most serious complications associated with 5-FU therapy. Oxytocin, a well-known antistress agent, has been reported to have comparable effects to ranitidine. Previous studies have shown that oxytocin inhibits gastric acid secretion and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in rats. If oxytocin can reduce stress-induced ulcers via antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory pathways, then it may have a dose-dependent effect on gastrointestinal mucositis caused by 5-FU.

Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; Chemotherapy; Cytokine; Mucositis; Oxytocin.

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