ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Background. Methotrexate (MTX) is used in the treatment of neoplastic disorders. MTX action in non-neoplastic diseases still remains obscure. Female reproductive cells are fast proliferating like cancer cells. Hence, it is important to\r\nidentify markers affected by MTX in the reproductive tract.\r\nAim. Investigate MTX effect on energy metabolism marker glycogen and the protective role of leucovorin (LCN) and\r\nwithdrawal of MTX treatment in the ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina of rats.\r\nAnimals and Methods. Rats with regular oestrous cycle were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) as follows: Control, MTX LD (low dose), MTX HD (high dose), MTXHD+LCN (leucovorin), and MTXHD+WD (withdrawal): 20 days withdrawal. Animals were treated once per day intramuscularly for 20 days. Rats were sacrificed on day 21. MTXHD treatment was withdrawn for additional 20 days and\r\nanimals sacrificed on day 41. Ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina were used for glycogen analysis.\r\nResults. The present study explored the effect of MTX and LCN on glycogen content in the ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina of rats. MTX significantly (P<0.001) inhibited glycogen content in ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina of rats, which was dose dependent. LCN\r\nsupplementation and withdrawal of MTX treatment, partially recovered such an effect.

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 MTXHD treatment was withdrawn for additional 20\r\ndays and animals sacrificed on day 41.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.

Background. The loss of reproductive function is one of the mostimportant adverse effects of chemotherapy. Folic acid deficiency may be harmful in pregnancy. Hence, it is imperative to investigate if leucovorin (LCN), a folinic\r\nacid supplementation and withdrawal of MTX treatment facilitate maintenance of pregnancy in albino rats.\r\nAim. The aim of this study was to examine the role of leucovorin (LCN) and withdrawal of MTX treatment in the\r\nprotection of pregnancy at very early stage of pregnancy in MTX treated rats.\r\nAnimals and Methods. Rats with regular oestrous cycle were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) as follows: Control,\r\nMTXLD (low dose), MTXHD (high dose), MTXHD + LCN (leucovorin), and MTXHD + WD (withdrawal). Animals were treated intramuscularly (im) on days 1-5 of pregnancy. MTXHD treatment was withdrawn and female rats showing regular cycle were caged with male rats. Laparotomy was performed on day 8 of pregnancy to note the number of implantation sites. Rats were sacrificed on day 20.\r\nResults. MTX significantly reduced maternal weights, number of corpora lutea, and implantation sites. 100% foetal\r\nresorption was prevalent in MTX treated groups. LCN supplementation did not help maintain pregnancy. While approximately 45% foetal resorption was observed in\r\nwithdrawal group.