title: Renal and hepatic toxicity after high-dose 7-hydroxymethotrexate in the rat.
abstract: To examine directly the hepatic and renal toxicity of 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7-OH-MTX) without interference of the parent compound methotrexate (MTX), we purified and gave 100 mg/kg 7-OH-MTX to rats, a dose resulting in serum levels of 7-OH-MTX comparable with those achieved in the clinic after the administration of high-dose MTX (HD-MTX). After only 5 h, the 7-OH-MTX-treated rats demonstrated 2.6-fold increases in serum creatinine values and 2-fold elevations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) levels as compared with the controls. Morphologic evidence of toxicity, however, was apparent only in the kidneys. Intraluminal cellular debris containing membranous material and deteriorated organelles was seen, but no precipitate of the delivered drug. The peak serum concentration of 7-OH was up to 939 microM, and concentrations of 7-OH-MTX declined triphasically, showing a t1/2 alpha value of 2.45 min, a t1/2 beta value of 30.5 min, and a terminal half-life (t1/2 gamma) of 240 min. The total clearance value was 14.5 ml min-1 kg, and the postdistributional volume of distribution (V beta) was 5070 ml/kg. Our results may indicate a direct toxic effect of 7-OH-MTX on kidney and liver cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smeland
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bremnes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaeger
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Huseby
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aarbakke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; C011864:7-hydroxymethotrexate; D008727:Methotrexate