Inhibition of methotrexate induced toxicity in the adult rat spleen by adalimumab.

Methotrexate (MTX) has been in use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and cancer since 1948. Its toxic side effects on tissues and organs have been well documented but splenotoxicity has not been addressed. This study set out to investigate this issue by examining the effectiveness of anti-TNFα agents against MTX-induced toxicity in T lymphocytes and macrophages via the regulation of CD3, CD68, and CD200R. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to three groups: control (received saline solution only), MTX (20 mg/kg of single-dose of MTX), and Ada + MTX (single dose of 10 mg/kg Adalimumab before MTX administration). The spleens were removed 5 days after MTX administration. The number of CD3+/mm3cells for the control, MTX and Ada + MTX groups were, respectively, 2.69 ± 0.86, 20.51 ± 2.7, (p = 0.000) and 11.07 ± 2.01 (p = 0.000). The number of CD68+ macrophages/mm3 in the control, MTX and Ada + MTX groups were, respectively, 8.62 ± 1.08, 38.19 ± 1.37 (p = 0.000), and 16.87 ± 12.57 (p = 0.000). The number of macrophages that were CD200R+/mm3 in the control, MTX, and Ada + MTX groups were 3.33 ± 1.66, 25.77 ± 2.37 (p = 0.000), and 8.68 ± 2.66 (p = 0.000), respectively. We also observed that Ada reduced the numerical densities of these cells following MTX administration (p < 0.05). Ada may, therefore, be a promising candidate for the prevention of the deleterious effects on T lymphocytes and macrophages of MTX-induced toxicity.

Impressions of the chronic 900-MHz electromagnetic field in the prenatal period on Purkinje cells in male rat pup cerebella: is it worth mentioning?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes on the Purkinje cells in the cerebella of male rat pups born to pregnant dams that were exposed to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period. METHODS: The first stage of the study involved 12 Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 male and 6 female, weighing between 180 and 250 g. The female rats in the experimental group were exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field for 1 h at the same time every day, and no procedure was performed on the control group. Following pregnancy, six male pups from each group were divided into experimental and control groups without any procedure on the pups. After 2 months, they were sacrificed and their cerebella were removed. Histopathologically, following routine processing and fixation procedures, the cerebella were embedded in the tissue blocks. The sections taken from these blocks were stained with cresyl violet. The Purkinje cells in the cerebella were then counted on sections using the optical dissector method on an image analysis system. RESULTS: The estimation of number of the Purkinje cells in the groups revealed more cells in rats in the control group than in the experimental group. Histopathologically, Purkinje cells exhibited a normal morphological structure in the control group, while the cells in the experimental group showed damage. CONCLUSIONS: It might be asserted that the exposure of mothers to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period may affect the development of Purkinje cells in the pup cerebella.

Impressions of the chronic 900-MHz electromagnetic field in the prenatal period on Purkinje cells in male rat pup cerebella: is it worth mentioning?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes on the Purkinje cells in the cerebella of male rat pups born to pregnant dams that were exposed to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period. METHODS: The first stage of the study involved 12 Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 male and 6 female, weighing between 180 and 250 g. The female rats in the experimental group were exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field for 1 h at the same time every day, and no procedure was performed on the control group. Following pregnancy, six male pups from each group were divided into experimental and control groups without any procedure on the pups. After 2 months, they were sacrificed and their cerebella were removed. Histopathologically, following routine processing and fixation procedures, the cerebella were embedded in the tissue blocks. The sections taken from these blocks were stained with cresyl violet. The Purkinje cells in the cerebella were then counted on sections using the optical dissector method on an image analysis system. RESULTS: The estimation of number of the Purkinje cells in the groups revealed more cells in rats in the control group than in the experimental group. Histopathologically, Purkinje cells exhibited a normal morphological structure in the control group, while the cells in the experimental group showed damage. CONCLUSIONS: It might be asserted that the exposure of mothers to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period may affect the development of Purkinje cells in the pup cerebella.