Effect of Fluorouracil on Intestinal Anastomoses in the Rat

Some of the effects of fluorouracil on non-neoplastic tissue have been reported.^1,2 Larger doses impair healing of musculotaneous wounds, while smaller doses do not affect these wounds or the repair involved in intraperitoneal adhesion formation.^3,4 The intestinal tract is especially sensitive to fluorouracil administration. In mice, this agent slows epithelial mitotic activity and results in mucosal regression. Other species also exhibit intestinal susceptibility. Because of this and the occasional need for intestinal resection in fluorouracil treated patients, its effect on intestinal wound healing was studied.

Methods  Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 250 to 500 gm were pretreated with saline or varying doses of fluorouracil. Group 1 received saline, while 25 mg/kg of fluorouracil was injected daily in the others. Group 2 received one or two days of treatment; group 3, three days of treatment; while group 4 was treated for four or five days. Weights