Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on peritoneal defense mechanisms and bacterial translocation after administration of systemic chemotherapy in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on peritoneal defense mechanisms and bacterial translocation after systemic 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administration. METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups; the control, 5-FU and 5-FU + G-CSF groups. We measured bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid, phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid, total peritoneal cell counts and cell types of peritoneal washing fluid. Bacterial translocation was quantified by mesenteric lymph node, liver and spleen tissue cultures. RESULTS: Systemic 5-FU reduced total peritoneal cell counts, neutrophils and macrophage numbers. It also altered bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. 5-FU also caused significant increase in frequencies of bacterial translocation at the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. G-CSF decreased bacterial translocation, it significantly enhanced bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. It also increased total peritoneal cell counts, neutrophils and macrophage numbers. CONCLUSION: Systemic 5-FU administration caused bacterial translocation, decreased the bactericidal activity of peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. G-CSF increased both bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid, and prevented the bacterial translocation. We conclude that intraperitoneal GCSF administration protects the effects of systemic 5-FU on peritoneal defense mechanisms. (C) 2007 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.