Vitamin C and L-arginine as potential synergistic adjuvants to recover intestinal mucositis induced by chemotherapy
<h2>s u m m a r y</h2><h3>Purpose</h3> Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis is a debilitating condition often triggered by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This study investigated the effect of vitamin C alone and combined with L-arginine, in a murine model of 5-FU-induced mucositis. <h3>Methods</h3> Male BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: Control, Mucositis, Mucositis + Vitamin C, and Mucositis + Vitamin C + Arginine. Treatments were administered by gavage for 10 days, with mucositis induction on day 7. Clinical (body weight, food intake), histological, morphometric, immunological, oxidative stress, and gene expression parameters were evaluated. <h3>Results</h3> Mucositis significantly reduced weight and food intake (<i>P</i><0.05). Vitamin C alone enhanced anti-inflammatory effects more than combined with arginine, reducing lipid peroxidation and preserving intestinal structure. Both treatments maintained sIgA levels (<i>P</i><0.05). Notably, the combination with arginine had a synergistic effect on collagen synthesis (<i>P</i><0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> These findings suggest that vitamin C protects against mucositis, while its combination with arginine may enhance tissue regeneration via collagen production.
Authors
- Fernanda Rezende Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6727-4837)
- Geovanni Dantas Cassali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5650-6743)
- Luiz Octávio Pires (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3295-131X)
- Simone de Vasconcelos Generoso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6413-8031)
- Nayara Salgado Vieira Sette (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1841-555X)
- Paola Caroline Lacerda Leocádio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1483-4466)
- Samanta Thomas‐Valdés (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1813-2728)
- Flaviano S. Martins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0741-3062)
- Jacqueline I. Alvarez‐Leite (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6601-9853)
- Luísa Martins Trindade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8367-0557)
- Rute B. Marques (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2034-9578)
- Valbert Nascimento Cardoso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7597-9602)
- Ramon O. Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6079-1196)
- Amanda Dias Borges (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9332-4888)
- Maria Emília Rabelo Andrade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1349-7293)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR)
- Ezequiel Dias Foundation (BR)
- University of Valparaíso (CL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Clinical Nutrition Open Science
- Published
- 2025-11-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutos.2025.10.013
- Primary Topic
- Oral health in cancer treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Universidad de Valparaíso
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais