[Prevention of irinotecan hydrochloride-induced diarrhea by oral administration of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in rats].

Irinotecan hydrochloride is an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I enzyme by its main active metabolite SN-38. However, irinotecan-induced severe diarrhea has often limited its more widespread use. We assessed the effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on irinotecan-induced diarrhea in rats.