Background and Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antirheumatic and chemotherapeutic agent with highly adverse effect on gastrointestinal tract. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) can exert a therapeutic action by regenerative capacity in intestinal damage. This study was done to demonstrate the possible therapeutic effect of MSCs in methotrexate induced intestinal injury in adult male albino rat.
Methods and Results: Male albino rats were used in this study. Group A (Control group), subgroup A-I rats received saline for 2 weeks and subgroup A-II received saline for 2 weeks then phosphate buffer saline once intraperitoneal (IP). Group B rats received MTX (14 mg/kg/week) intraperitoneal (IP) for 2 weeks. Group C, rats received MTX (14 mg/kg/week) intraperitoneal (IP) for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, they were injected IP with MSCs (2 × 106 cells in 500 μL PBS once). Groups AI&B were anaesthetized and sacrificed after 2 weeks while groups AII&C were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Blood samples were drawn from the tail vein to measure myeloperoxidase (MPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Small intestinal specimens were obtained for evaluation by light microscopy. CD4+, and CD8+ immunohistochemistry and statistical analysis were applied. Significant increase in MPO and significant decrease in VEGF were reported in Group B. MTX induced pathological alterations in small intestinal tissues, mean number of mast cells and goblet cells associated with increased CD4+ and CD8+ immunoexpression. Nearly all changes were ameliorated following MSCs therapy
Conclusion: MSCs have significant effect in repairing the deleterious action of MTX in small intestinal tissues.