Pathological Investigation of the Effect of Bovine Colostrum Against 5-FU-Induced Liver, Kidney, and Heart Toxicity in Rats

This study aimed to investigate the possible histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of bovine colostrum (BC) against the toxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the liver, kidney, and heart of Wistar Albino rats. Animals were divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU+BC. The control group received 2 mL/kg i.p. saline, the 5-FU group 100 mg/kg i.p. 5-FU, and the 5-FU+BC group received 100 mg/kg i.p. saline on the first day of the study. The 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups received 100 mg/kg i.p. of 5-FU and 1000 mg/kg BC orally each day of the study. Liver, kidney, and heart tissues were examined histopathologically for lesions and the expression of TNF-α, HSP-27, CASP-3, and 8-OHdG. No pathologic lesions were observed in the control group, whereas severe pathologic lesions were observed in the 5-FU group. In the 5-FU+BC group, the lesions were less severe than in the 5-FU group. In immunohistochemical examination, biomarker expression was not observed in the control group, whereas it was severe in the 5-FU group and less severe in the 5-FU+BC group. At the end of the study, it was observed that 5-FU-induced pathological findings in liver, kidney, and heart tissues decreased with the use of bovine colostrum. The difference between the control group and the 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Although the BC addition did not show any statistical significance in the pathological scores of 5-FU in liver, kidney, and heart tissues, it was observed that it improved the lesions of these tissues. Nevertheless, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses showed visible improvements in the 5-FU+BC group. Although more studies are needed, it is hoped that BC will improve prognosis by both reducing the side effects of 5-FU, a good chemotherapeutic agent, and its antineoplastic properties.