Effect of 5-fluorouracil plus vitamins A and E on methotrexate toxicity

ABSTRACT

The synergistic sequential administration of methotrexate [MTX] and 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] plus vitamins A and E was investigated in 60 mature albino rats. The animals were divided into six equal groups, five test groups and a control one that received distilled water. The results of the hematopoietic elements revealed non- significant differences between scheduling of MTX after a priming dose of 5-FU plus vitamins A and E or 5-FU plus vitamins A and E and the control; while BW and BM cellularity showed a very mild reduction with the group of prior administration of 5-Fu plus vitamins to MTX. The simultaneously treated group revealed a moderate reduction in BW and BM cellularity with a significant reduction in hematopoietic elements. However, a sequential treatment with MTX, followed by 5-FU plus vitamins A and E and MTX alone resulted in a marked reduction in BW and BM cellularity, together with an extremely highly significant reduction in hematopoietic elements