PROSPECTIVE VALUE OF FOLIC ACID AND VITAMIN “E” TO MINIMIZE THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF METHOTREXATE THERAPY (ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG) IN RATS.

KHALAF, A; ELSAIEED, EIMAN; ABDELMOTTELB, AZZA

doi:10.21608/vmjg.2002.369355

PROSPECTIVE VALUE OF FOLIC ACID AND VITAMIN “E” TO MINIMIZE THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF METHOTREXATE THERAPY (ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG) IN RATS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

² Department of Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/vmjg.2002.369355

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effi- cacy of folic acid (FA) and/or vitamin E against methotrexate – induced toxicity. Toxic effects of methotrexate (MTX) were studied by the routine toxicity testing. Its effect on body weight gain, hepatic and renal functions were estimated on five experimental groups. The first was intubated with 1.35mg/kg MTX. The second, third and fourth groups were intubated with the same dose of MTX in addition their drinking water was con- tained 2 mg/l folic acid or 2.5 mg/l vitamin E or both of them, respectively. These treatments were assigned for 3 consecutive days followed by 7 days rest. This regime was repeated five times. The fifth group was served as a control. The ob- tained results were signs of gastrointestinal manifestations reduction of body weight gains, eleva- tion of serum aminotransferases activities. (ALT,AST and GGT) and increase in the concenTrations of serum creatinine and urea. These ef- fects were more prominent in rats administered MTX alone than control and those administered MTX with folic acid and/or vitamin E. However, these changes were significantly much lower in the fourth group (treated with MTX, folic acid and vitamin E) when compared with other MTX- treated groups. Histopathological lesions recorded in liver, kidney and intestines were severe in the group administered MTX only. Administration of folic acid or vitamin E during the periods of MTX therapy reduced these lesions to its moderate form, while both folic acid and vitamin E supple- mentation relieve it and appeared in a mild form. In conclusion, MTX therapy has many toxic ef- fects on rats. These effects were minimized by folic acid or vitamin E supplementation. Howev- er, administration of both gives the best results for protection. Therefore, we recommended their ad- ministration during the course regime of MTX therapy.

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