July - September 2012, Volume 8, Issue 3

Karri S, Vanithakumari G

Methotrexate and Leucovorin Exposure Modulates Biochemical Markers in Female Accessory Reproductive Organs of Albino Rats

Acta Endo (Buc) 2012, 8 (3): 369-386
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2012.369

Background. Exposure to methotrexate (MTX) causes infertility in young women treated for non-neoplastic\r\ndiseases. Leucovorin an antidote to MTX is used to prevent its side effects. Reproductive tract cells are fast proliferating like cancer cells. Hence, MTX may cause deleterious effect on these cells.\r\nAim. Explore MTX effect on biochemical markers and the protective role of leucovorin in the accessory reproductive\r\norgans viz; oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina.\r\nAnimals and Methods. Rats with regular oestrous cycle were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) as follows:\r\nControl, MTX LD (low dose), MTX HD (high dose), MTXHD+LCN (leucovorin, LCN), and MTXHD+WD (withdrawal): 20 days withdrawal. Animals were treated once per day intramuscularly (im) for 20 days. Rats were sacrificed on day 21. MTXHD treatment was withdrawn for additional 20\r\ndays and animals sacrificed on day 41. Oviducts, uterus, cervix and vagina were used for biochemical markers analysis.\r\nResults. MTX treatment decreased RNA, DNA and protein concentrations. Such similar effects were also observed in\r\nG6PD, LDH and ALP activities. Leucovorin and withdrawal of treatment partially recovered MTX effects. Uniquely, this study signifies MTX action on nucleic acids and protein levels and also G6PD, LDH and ALP activities in oviducts, uterus, cervix and vagina.

Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, DNA, G6PD, LDH, pProtein, RNA, female\r\nreproductive organs

Correspondence: Karri Sritulasi, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046, Tamilnadu, India, Email: sritulasi@gmail.com