Effects of topical application of methotrexate on nasal mucosa in rats: a preclinical assessment study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate dose-dependent effect of the topical application of methotrexate (MTX) in rats on the normal nasal mucosa, liver tissue, liver enzymes, and hemoglobin levels.


METHODS
Preclinical animal study.


METHODS
Twenty male adult wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5). A single puff of MTX (2.5 microg) was applied to both nasal cavities 2 times a day. The animals were given MTX 1 day a week in group 1, 3 days a week in group 2, and 5 days a week in group 3. Control group animals were given 1 puff of physiologic saline to both nasal cavities 5 days a week and 2 times a day. After 28 days, liver biopsies, blood samples, and 5 nasal mucosal biopsies were taken. Histological examination was made with respect to certain parameters semiquantitatively (grade 0-3). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hemoglobin counts were studied from blood samples.


RESULTS
There are no statistically significant differences with respect to histopathological parameters between the control group and the groups 1-3 (P>0.05). Histopathological examination of liver tissue did not reveal any evident difference between the control and study groups. Mean AST and ALT as liver function tests and hemoglobin counts were within normal limits. Topical application of MTX at these doses has no toxic effect on the nasal mucosa, the liver tissue, AST and ALT levels, and hemoglobin level.


CONCLUSIONS
These results have been encouraging to investigate use of the topical application of MTX in nasal manifestation of autoimmune disease or addition of the topical application of MTX to the steroid treatment in cases with massive nasal polyposis resistant to steroids and prone to recurrence.
Ercan
Ibrahim
I
Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department; Sişli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. i_ercan@yahoo.com
Cakir
Burak Omür
BO
Başak
Tülay
T
Ozbal
Eltaf Ayça
EA
Sahin
Atilla
A
Balci
Gürhan
G
Turgut
Suat
S
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D008727:Methotrexate