Amino Acids May Have Protective Effects on Salivary Glands of 5-FU-administered Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to identify the most useful components of Elental((R)) in the treatment of 5-fluorouracil (FU)-induced mucositis and salivary gland atrophy in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice (except the control group) were intraperitoneally injected with 5-FU. The mice received saline (control group and 5-FU group), dextrin (Dextrin group), amino acids (17AA group), or Elental((R)) (Elental((R)) group). RESULTS: The volume and weight of salivary glands was higher in 17AA and Elental((R)) groups compared to 5-FU group. The number of mucous glands was higher, whereas the number of damaged granular ductal epithelial cells was lower in the salivary glands of all groups except the 5-FU group. Salivation was also decreased in the 5-FU group compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Amino acids could be the most effective components of Elental((R)) for protecting mouse salivary glands from 5-FU-induced atrophic changes, and might be useful in the treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients.