Ostrich oil failed to improve intestinal barrier function following 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats

Abstract

Mucositis is characterized by intestinal barrier disruption following chemotherapy. Emu Oil promoted small intestinal repair in a rat model of mucositis (Mashtoub, 2013). However, the effects of Ostrich Oil (OO) remain unexplored. We investigated the effects of OO on mucin-secreting goblet cells (GC) during the recovery phase of mucositis. METHODS. Female Dark Agouti rats were allocated to groups (n=8/group): Saline+Water; Saline+OO; 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)+Water; 5-FU+OO. Mucositis was induced on day 5 by 5-FU injection and rats were euthanized on day 10. Intestinal villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and GC were quantified. p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS. Compared to water controls, VH was increased 15% by OO (p<0.05), however, VH was unaffected by 5-FU. 5-FU tended to decrease GC count in the villi, relative to water controls (p=0.069). GC count was unaffected by OO in 5-FU-treated rats compared to 5-FU controls. CD was increased 24% by 5-FU (p<0.01); an effect that was not altered by OO. 5-FU reduced GC count in crypts (33%; p<0.01) compared to water controls. However, OO did not attenuate the decrease in GC count in 5-FU-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS. Ostrich Oil treatment failed to improve intestinal barrier function indicated by mucin-secreting goblet cells. As this is the first report of Ostrich Oil in bowel disease, further studies are required to explore dosage and timing regimens.