Histological Effect of Methotrexate and Folinic Acid on Oral Epithelium of Albino Rats.

Abstract

To determine the extent of damage to oral epithelium caused by high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) and the ameliorating role of folinic acid (FA) on damaging effect of methotrexate. Experimental study. Anatomy Department of Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore, from March to September 2013. Forty-two albino rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups: Exp group-I was given HDMTX intramuscularly (I/M) on alternate days, Exp group-II was given both MTX and FA(I/M) on alternate days, and the control group received no intervention. After 16 days, buccal mucosa was excised for histological analysis under light microscope using H & E stains to see the effect of intervention. Exp group-I showed marked reduction in epithelial thickness compared to Exp group-II, and the control (F = 46.44, p < 0.001) had significantly depleted basal layer (F = 6.32, p < 0.004), as well as inflammatory infiltrate with evidence of erosion and ulceration. Exp group-II showed less atrophic changes, a few inflammatory cells, no erosion and ulceration compared to the Exp group-I. Assuming epithelial thickness of control group 100% intact, the Exp group-II was found to have 78% intact and Exp group-I had only 38% thickness intact. Thus FArescued epithelial thickness by 40%. Folinic acid considerably saved oral mucosa from the damaging effect of HDMTX, improving quality of life of patients.