Effect of Vitamin A against Methotrexate-Induced Damage to the Small Intestine in Rats

Vol. 13, No. 6, 2004

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Original Paper

Effect of Vitamin A against Methotrexate-Induced Damage to the Small Intestine in Rats
Mehmet Yüncü^a, Ayhan Eralp^a, Mehmet Koruk^b, Ibrahim Sari^c, Cahit Baci^d, Serap Inalöz^a

Departments of
^aHistology and Embryology,
^bGastroenterology,
^cPathology, and
^dPhysiology, Gaziantep University Medical School, Gaziantep, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

Med Princ Pract 2004;13:346-352 (DOI: 10.1159/000080472)

Key Words

Methotrexate
Intestine
Vitamin A

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether or not the administration of vitamin A (VA) protects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage to small intestinal epithelium. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three male Wistar albino rats, 10-12 weeks old, weighing 240-280 g, were divided into three groups: (1) controls, (2) rats receiving MTX treatment alone, and (3) rats receiving MTX plus VA treatment. A single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg MTX in 20 ml vehicle) was administered to the rats intraperitoneally. For MTX plus VA treated groups, retinol palmitate (VA) 5,000 IU/kg dissolved in 0.5 ml sunflower oil was administered by intragastric tube 3 days prior to MTX treatment and continued till the rats were sacrificed. The control group was treated with vehicle. Both control and MTX-alone groups were also treated with sunflower oil as a placebo. The rats were sacrificed on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day after MTX treatment. Tissue samples from the jejunum were taken for histopathological analysis. Results: MTX treatment induced villus shortening and fusion, epithelial atrophy, crypt loss, inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria, and goblet cell depletion. The pre- and post-treatment administration of VA decreased the severity of jejunal damage caused by MTX treatment. Conclusion: Our results confirmed that administration of VA decreased the MTX-induced damage to the small intestine. This protective effect of VA may have clinical applications in cancer chemotherapy.

References

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Author Contacts

Doç. Dr. Mehmet Yüncü
Gaziantep Üniversitesi T inodot p Fakültesi
Histoloji ve Embriyoloji Anabilim Dal inodot
TR-27310 Gaziantep (Turkey)
Tel. +90 342 3606060 7781, Fax +90 342 3601617, E-Mail yuncu@gantep.edu.tr

Article Information

Received: March 19, 2003
Revised: July 14, 2003
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 36

Publication Details

Medical Principles and Practice (International Journal of the Kuwait University Health Sciences Centre)

Vol. 13, No. 6, Year 2004 (Cover Date: November-December 2004)

Journal Editor: F. Al Awadi, Kuwait
ISSN: 1011-7571 (print), 1423-0151 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/mpp

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Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in goverment regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or, in the case of photocopying, direct payment of a specified fee to the Copyright Clearance Center.

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	Last update: 1/10/2004