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Vol.2 No.10 -2 : Oral supplementation of aqueous Ginkgo biloba extract inhibits oxidative stress and hippocampus injury associated with methotrexate injection.

By : Ehab Tousson , Ahmed Masoud; Afaf M. Elatrsh and Tamer Mostafa

Abstract

Methotrexate is effective for the treatment of a number of cancers including breast, lung, leukemia an osteosarcoma. This study was conducted to examine the possible modifying effects of Ginkgo biloba against hippocampal and brain toxicity induced by methotrexate in male albino rats. This could be fulfilled through the histological, immunohistochemically and biochemical analysis of hippocampal brain tissues. The experiments were performed on 36 male albino rats divided into 6 groups; the first and second groups were the control and Gingko groups respectively while the 3rd group methotrexate rat group; the 4th and the 5th groups were co- and post treated Methotrexate rat groups with Gingko respectively and the 6th group was methotrexate self-treated rat group. In brain homogenates Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in methotrexate group showed a significant increase when compared with control group, in contrast methotrexate-treated group also exhibited a significant decrease in brain antioxidants machinery represented by catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH) and total proteins. The histological changes consisted of destruction of oligodendrocytes, sometimes complete over large areas, and sometimes relatively slight. All the rats which survived long enough after treatment showed severe astrocytosis. Rats’ brains immunocytochemical results showed that GFAP-positive cells astrocytes increase after Exposure to (MTX) compared with the other groups.


2_Oral_supplementation_of_aqueous_Ginkgo_biloba_extract_inhibits_oxidative_stress_and_hippocampus_injury_associated_with_methotrexate_injection
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Vol.2 No.2 -2 : Effect of L-arginine on methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

By : Ashour A – S Abdel-Mawla1, Safia M Hassan2, Ekram N Abd Al-Haleem3 and Safeyah Z El-Hangoor4

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used in the treatment of many different types of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Its cytotoxic nature also lends a substantial risk of life-threatening side effects. L-arginine is beneficial in the treatment of hepatic injury, hepatic cirrhosis and fatty liver degeneration. The present work aims to study the effect of L-arginine on hepatotoxicity of methotrexate in albino rats. Five groups of albino rats were used. Group I: control. Group II: rats were administered (MTX) in a daily oral dose of 0.45 mg/kg, for 28 days. Group III: rats were administered L-arginine in a daily oral dose of 300 mg/kg, for 28 days. Group IV: rats were received L- arginine 2 hrs before (MTX). Group V: rats were received L-arginine 2 hrs after (MTX). The results revealed different histopathological changes in liver of MTX-treated rats such as focal areas of necrosis and increased numbers of activated Kupffer cells, an apparent increase in the amount of collagen fibers and strong immunoreactive expression of α- SMA. Biochemical results revealed a significant increase in the serum levels of ALT, AST, bilirubin and decreasing the level of antioxidant enzymes. L-agrinine minimized the hepatotoxicity of MTX by decreasing the level of ALT, AST and bilirubin, MDA and increasing the antioxidant enzymes. It is concluded that L-arginine protects liver from hepatotoxicity of methotrexate and this due to its antioxidant activity.


2. Effect of L-arginine on methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.
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