[An experimental study on portal infusion of 5-fluorouracil]

We conducted these experiments to investigate the differences between continuous portal and one shot portal infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using male Donryu rats. Continuous portal infusion of 5-FU (20 mg/kg/day x 5 days) revealed no remarkable side effects on the rats with significant decrease in the number of liver metastases generated by intraportal inoculation of ascites hepatoma AH60C. Consecutive 5-day administration of 5-FU (20 mg/kg x 5) by one shot method via spleen resulted in no metastases but caused death in 75% of rats because of severe leukopenia and dehydration. The rats receiving one shot infusion of 5-FU (33.3 mg/kg x 3, day 1, 3, 5) via spleen showed a significant decrease in the number of metastases without lethal side effects. Continuous portal infusion of 5-FU would be a safe and effective therapy to prevent liver metastases, whereas one shot portal infusion of 5-FU may give rise to severe side effects while preventing liver metastases.