Effect of Atorvastatin on 5-Fluorouracil Induced Mucositis

5-Fuorouracil (5-Fu) remains one of the most effective and most commonly used drugs to treat colorectal cancer. Mucositis is a major complication that occurs in approximately 80% of patients receiving 5-FU and results in abdominal bloating as well as vomiting and diarrhea. oral mucositis (OM) are often very painful and compromise nutrition and oral hygiene as well as increase risk for local and systemic infection.
OM is characterized by an intense inflammatory reaction on the mucosa lamina propria cells, which results in activation of the transcription factor NF-kB. The activation of NF-kB leads to transcription of genes involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Agents known to attenuate the expression of cytokines have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of experimental mucositis.
The use of atorvastatin were associated with reduced production of TNF-α and IL-1β and decreased neutrophil infiltration evidenced by histopathological analysis and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In addition, atorvastatin also reduced oxidative stress and induced an increase in non-protein sulfhydryl groups showing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action.