The protective effect of infliximab on cisplatin-induced intestinal tissue toxicity

I. Aydin, Y. Kalkan, E. Ozer, A.F. Yucel, A. Pergel, E. Cure, M.C. Cure, D.A. Sahin

Department of Surgery, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University School of Medicine, Rize, Turkey. ibrahimaydn@msn.com

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin (CP) is a popular chemotherapeutic agent. However, high doses of CP may lead to severe side effects to the gastrointestinal system. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of infliximab on small intestine injury induced by high doses of CP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The A total of 30 rats were equally divided into three groups, including sham (C), cisplatin (CP), and cisplatin + infliximab (CPI). The CP group was treated with 7 mg/kg intraperitoneal cisplatin, and a laparotomy was performed 5 days later. The CPI group received 7 mg/kg infliximab intraperitoneally, were administered 7 mg/kg cisplatin 4 days later, and a laparotomy was performed 5 days after receiving cisplatin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of small intestine tissue sections were performed, and superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and TNF-α levels were measured.

RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation revealed that the CP group had damage in the epithelium and connective tissue, but this damage was significantly improved in the CPI group (p < 0.05). In addition, these histopathological findings were confirmed by biochemical analyses.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that infliximab is protective against the adverse effects of CP.

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