The Possible Protective Role of Folic Acid versus Taurine on Methotrexate Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

Abstract

Methotrexate is widely used in the therapy of various types of diseases. It is used as a chemotherapeutic agent for many cancer types and is also used for the treatment of psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It causes numerous side effects; the most serious side effect is hepatotoxicity. Previous studies revealed that folic acid protected the liver in Mtx treated patients but it might decrease the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Taurine has antioxidant and antifibrotic properties, few studies were made to investigate its role to protect against the ultrastructural changes and fibrosis induced by Mtx. Hence, the aim of our present study was to investigate the histological changes induced by Mtx and to clarify the possible protective role of taurine and folic acid. Fourty two male albino rats were used and divided into four groups. Group I (control group) was subdivided into four subgroups six rat each, group Ia the rats in this group did not receive anything, group Ib the rats in this group received intra-peritoneal saline twice weekly for six weeks, group Ic the rats in this group received folic acid in a dose of 250 mcg/kg using rat gavage needle for six weeks and group Id the rats in this group received taurine at a dose of 1000mg/kg daily using rat gavage needle for six weeks. Group II six rats in this group received methotrexate at a dose of 0.5mg/kg by intra-peritoneal injection twice weekly for six weeks. Group III six rats in this group received