Atorvastatin calcium alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal damage by inhibiting cellular senescence and significantly enhances its antitumor efficacy

5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) is the preferred drug in colorectal cancer treatment. Although 5-Fu treatment contributes to the increase in survival rates, long-term use of 5-Fu causes severe intestinal damage, eventually decreasing long-term survival. There is no standard treatment for intestinal damage induced by 5-Fu. Our previous study found that 5-Fu-induced intestinal damage was connected to an increase in senescent cells, and antiaging drugs could relieve some adverse side effects caused by 5-Fu. Hence, it is essential to discover novel, potential antiaging therapeutic drugs for 5-Fu side effect treatment. According to the current study, Atorvastatin calcium (Ator) alleviated cellular senescence in human intestinal epithelial cells (HUVECs) and human umbilical vein endo-thelial cells (HIECs) caused by oxidative stress and 5-Fu. 5-Fu resulted in an increase in SA-8-Gal-positive cells, synchronously increased expression of aging-related proteins (p16), aging-related genes (p53, p21), and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP: IL-18, IL-6, TNF-& alpha;), while Atorvastatin calcium (Ator) reversed the increase in these indicators. In the BALB/c mouse model, we confirmed that intestinal damage caused by 5-Fu is related to the increase in senescent cells and drug-induced inflammation, with the therapeutic effects of Ator. In addition, Ator increased the sensitivity of 5-Fu to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Com-bination therapy significantly reduced HCT116 cell viability. Furthermore, Ator and 5-Fu present a cooperative effect on preventing the growth of tumors in CRC xenograft nude mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the value of Ator for treating intestinal damage. Moreover, Ator combined with 5-Fu increased the antitumor ability in CRC cells. Additionally, we provide a novel therapeutic protocol for CRC.

Automated summary

This study found that Atorvastatin calcium (Ator) can alleviate cellular senescence in human intestinal epithelial cells (HUVECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HIECs) caused by oxidative stress and 5-Fu. It also has therapeutic effects on 5-Fu-induced intestinal damage. In addition, Ator increases the sensitivity of 5-Fu to chemotherapy and has a cooperative effect on preventing the growth of tumors in CRC cells and xenograft nude mice.