Incorporation of 5-fluorouracil into hepatoma and normal tissue RNA at protein depletion in the rat

✍ Scribed by Roos, Gunnel; Stenram, Unne

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 97 KB
• Volume: 65
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199707)65:3<155::aid-jso2>3.0.co;2-5

✦ Synopsis

Background and Objectives: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) exerts its effects mainly by its incorporation into RNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis. Its toxicity may therefore be estimated by measuring its incorporation into RNA. Protein malnutrition has been considered to increase the toxicity of 5-FU. Methods: Rats with a hepatoma implanted into the liver were fed on either a 25% or a 0% casein diet for 1 week. On the last day, they were infused via the hepatic artery with a therapeutic dose of 3 H-5-FU. Its incorporation into RNA was measured in hepatoma and several normal tissues. Results: Protein deprivation increased the incorporation of 5-FU into liver and intestinal RNA. Incorporation into hepatoma RNA did not increase significantly, but the ratio, liver/hepatoma RNA incorporation, remained unchanged. Conclusions: Protein deprivation might increase the toxicity of 5-FU on liver and intestine.