Prevention of 5-FU Induced NADPH-D Translocation in Colonic Epithelium by Antibiotics and the Effect on the Intestinal Bacterial Flora

Abstract

One hundred and thirty-two mice were studied for the effects of 5-FU, neomycin, and penicillin on the histology and histochemical localization of dehydrogenases in colonic epithelium. These effects were correlated with the aerobic and anaerobic enteric bacterial flora. 5-FU induces a luminal distribution of NADPH-D in colonic epithelium. Both neomycin and penicillin prevent this translocation. It was not observed in control animals or with the NADH-D reaction. Neomycin and penicillin both had definite effects on the mouse colonic flora, but these effects were not similar and the reason they prevent this translocation is not clear, although it appeared to be related to an alteration in the aerobic coliform bacterial flora.

Index-words:

• Colon
• colonic diseases
• antibiotics
• enzyme tests
• histochemistry
• bacteriology