TY - JOUR AB - Malignant neoplasia represents the second cause of disease‑related mortality and, among all patients diagnosed with cancer, 70% will receive chemotherapy during the course of treatment. As a consequence, an increasing number of researchers have focused their attention on the search for more specific anticancer therapies associated with fewer side effects. Leukopenia is an important adverse effect associated with chemotherapy. Secondary infection is very common among leukopenic patients, directly affecting the continuity of the chemotherapeutic treatment and leading to possible complications in tumor immune defense. Atorvastatin, a type of statin, is a known agent used to control hypercholesterolemia. Trans‑caryophyllene, isolated from a resinous oil extracted from the copaiba tree, possesses anti‑inflammatory and analgesic properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, through a complete leukocyte count, the systemic immunomodulation potential of pentoxifylline (PTX), atorvastatin and trans‑caryophyllene, as well as the possible prophylactic role of these drugs against secondary leukopenia, in an experimental chemotherapy model induced by 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU) in Wistar rats. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were used, 24 of which were submitted to treatment with atorvastatin, PTX and trans‑caryophyllene prior to the administration of chemotherapy. The Shapiro‑Wilk test was used to verify normality and the Kruskal‑Wallis test was used for negative data in the normality test. Among the drugs selected, atorvastatin exhibited the best preventive potential in regards to leukopenia secondary to experimental chemotherapy induced by 5‑FU, in comparison to the group receiving saline solution, while PTX amplified such alterations in the leukograms of the animals in this trial. AD - Postgraduate Program in Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (PPGS), Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil Department of Dental Clinic, Dental Scool, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil Laboratory of Immunopathology and Clinical Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil AU - Campos,Maria Ines,Da Cruz AU - Vieira,Wellington,Dorigheto Andrade AU - Campos,Celso,Neiva AU - Aarestrup,Fernando,Monteiro AU - Aarestrup,Beatriz,Julião Vieira DA - 2015/07/01 DO - 10.3892/mco.2015.544 EP - 828 IS - 4 JO - Mol Clin Oncol KW - chemotherapy leukopenia oral mucositis atorvastatin trans‑caryophyllene PY - 2015 SN - 2049-9450 2049-9469 SP - 825 ST - Atorvastatin and trans‑caryophyllene for the prevention of leukopenia in an experimental chemotherapy model in Wistar rats T2 - Molecular and Clinical Oncology TI - Atorvastatin and trans‑caryophyllene for the prevention of leukopenia in an experimental chemotherapy model in Wistar rats UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2015.544 VL - 3 ER -