Small bowel permeability in patients with cytostatic therapy

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of cytostatic therap y on the barrier function of the small bowel. In 16 patients with tumors in the gastrointestinal tract with metastatic involvement of the liver, small bowel permeability was measured using the lactulose/mannitol test. The pat ients were treated for 5 d with fluorouracil (750-1000 mg/d) and leucovorin (25-50 mg/d). The examination was performed on the first day, at the begin ning of the cytostatic therapy, and also 5, 12, and 28 d after the therapy had begun. In comparing the start and the end of this therapy, the index of permeability was significantly increased (as measured 7 d after the end of therapy). These results show the damage of small bowel barrier after cytos tatic therapy. (C) Elsevier Science Inc.