Efficacy of variable dosage of aspirin in combating methotrexate-induced intestinal toxicity

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to study in detail the effect of variable doses of aspirin on intestinal toxicity. Albino rats were randomly divided into six groups and subjected to 13 weeks treatment against a sham control (3 ml kg⁻¹ by mouth (p.o.) normal saline); a toxic control (2.5 ml kg⁻¹ intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), MTX); a low dose of aspirin (8 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.); a low dose of aspirin plus MTX (8 mg kg⁻¹, p.o. + 2.5 ml kg⁻¹, i.p.), a high dose of aspirin (45 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.); and a high dose of aspirin plus MTX (45 mg kg⁻¹, p.o. + 2.5 ml kg⁻¹, i.p.). The intestinal toxicity of aspirin was assessed on the basis of biochemical changes and modulation in the inflammatory markers. Low doses of aspirin gave significant protection against MTX-induced toxicity, whereas high dose failed to do so. High doses of aspirin also produced adverse biochemical changes in the physiology, but low dose did not.