EFFECTS OF METHOTREXATE (MTX) ON THE STRUCTURE OF LIVER AND KIDNEY OF ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS AND THE ROLE OF FOUC ACID IN REDUCING THESE EFFECTS

Abstract

The work was carried out upon the adult male albino rats to study the effects ofMTX on the structure ofthe liver and kidney and the role of folic acid in these effects.

The animals ofths study were divided into four groups beside the control. In group I, the animals were given MTX orally for one month, then sacrificed. The sections in liver and kidney were taken. The liver sections were stained with H & E, PAS and Masson's trichrome. This study cleared that MTX lead to balloning and destruction in some liver cells, loss of normal cellular arrangement, and disturbance in process of glycogenlysis. There was increasof collagenous fibers around the central vein and portal tract. The fibers clearly observed between cell plates. The kidney sections of this group showed mild changes in the form of tubular dilatation and minimal decrease in reaction for alkaline phosphatase enzyme. In the group II MTX and folic acid were given at the same time for one -.:- -- -- ---- month. The changes in the sections of this group is less than group I

in liver sections but in kidney section, the group II nearly similar to controL In the group III folic acid was given after stopping of MTX liver sections showing changes in liver pattern in the form of decrease reaction with PAS and increase collagenous fibers around the blood vessels and between liver cell plates. But in _kidney sec_tions there was mild changes in the form of mild decrease in PAS reaction and reaction for alkaline phosphalase enzyme