Does Chitosan Introduce Protection Against Methotrexate-Induced Hepatorenal Injury in Rats?

Abstract

Objective: Chitosan possesses antioxidant properties and exhibits anti-inflammatory characteristics. The objective of the investigation was to assess the effectiveness of chitosan in protecting against hepatorenal injury induced by methotrexate (MTX), a medication utilized for immunosuppression and chemotherapy.
 Methods: Wistar albino rats were allocated into 3 different groups, each consisting of six animals (n=6). The control group received saline for 5 days (i.p.), the MTX group was administrated a single dose MTX (60 mg/kg, i.p.) along with saline for four days (i.p.), while MTX+Chitosan group received a single dose of MTX (60 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by Chitosan administration (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for four days. On the sixth day, the animals were decapitated, and blood and tissue samples were collected. BUN, creatinine and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels and activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9) activities were quantified in the blood. The liver and kidney were evaluated for caspase-3 and-9 through western blotting, while structural damage was examined using light microscopy.
 Results: In the MTX administered group, blood and tissues values except for all TIMP-1 statistically increased when compared to the control group, while activity of TIMP-1 decreased significantly. The Chitosan-treated MTX group had comparable values to the control group.
 Conclusion: Based on its influence on metalloproteinases and caspases, our findings lead to the conclusion that Chitosan offers a protective effect against liver and kidney damage induced by MTX.