Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist reduced apoptosis and attenuated intestinal mucositis in a 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy model in mice.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in IL-1β expression and intestinal apoptosis after chemotherapy. And we further determine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) reduces apoptosis in vivo after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy in the small intestine.

Methods: Intestinal mucositis was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 5-FU (200 mg/kg).