Effect of Protein on 5-Fluorouracil and Cyclophosphamide

Feeding rats a semipurified diet containing casein as a protein source results in severe gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity when the chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate (MTX) is given. However, when soy concentrate protein is used in place of casein, rats are completely protected from toxicity. The purpose is to determine if soy concentrate protein is protective against cyclophosphamide (CY) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) toxicity in rats. 5-fluorouracil is a chemotherapeutic drug that causes severe side effects to the GI tract because of its effect on cell division. If soy concentrate proves to be protective in toxicity associated with chemotherapy, it could easily be incorporated into an enteral product and be tested in cancer patients to boost their nutrient intake. This soy product would help to maintain patients' adequate nutrition and, therefore, their nutritional status which has been shown to increase tolerance to chemotherapy. Further, if toxic side effects were minimized, it may be possible to increase doses of drugs and more effectively kill tumor cells.