Effect of some vitamins administration on methotrexate-induced damage of rat jejunal mucosa

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to evaluate the prospective effect of some antioxidants against MTX toxicity. 90 adult albino rats, kept on a standard diet and water, were divided into 5 groups. Group I served as a control group, group II received methotrexate [MTX] in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg b.wt. for 3 consecutive days, group III received MTX concomitantly with vitamin E 600 mg/kg, group IV received MTX concomitantly with vitamin A 5000 IU/kg, and group V received MTX concomitantly with both vitamin E and vitamin A. The results were statistically analyzed and revealed that jejunum of rats with MTX [group I] showed significantly short, wide villi and deep crypts, marked lymphocytic infiltration in epithelium and lamina propria of the villi. Union of the villi either at the bases or their tips was a protective mechanism to decrease the oozing of plasma from the tissue to the lumen. Goblet cells showed decreased intensity of alcian blue stain. Alkaline phosphatase reaction was reduced at the brush border of the villi despite of its increased serum level. The electron microscopic results revealed markedly swollen mitochondria, reduction in the number and size of microvilli at the brush border, the nuclei showed signs of degeneration. Laboratory investigation revealed a significant reduction of TLC, PC, a significant elevation of serum AST, ALT, ALP, urea and creatinine in group II when compared with control group. In the same time, there was significant improvement of the previous parameters in groups III, IV and V when compared with MTX group. Concomitant administration of vitamins E and A with MTX gave the best protection against MTX-induced damage of both intestinal mucosa and laboratory parameters