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01-08-2009 | Original Article

Methotrexate treatment ameliorated testicular suppression and anorexia related leptin reduction in rats with adjuvant arthritis

Authors: Jana Jurcovicova, Karol Svik, Sona Scsukova, Katarina Bauerova, Jozef Rovensky, Maria Stancikova

Published in: Rheumatology International | Issue 10/2009

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) has been frequently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, its action on arthritis associated male hypogonadism, or anorexia related low leptin production has not yet been studied. The well-established model of human RA is rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). In the present series we aimed at the evaluation of the effects of MTX on AA induced inflammatory parameters, testosterone suppression, and anorexia associated lowered leptin release. AA was induced in male Lewis rats by intradermal injection of heat killed Mycobacterium butyricum in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant in the base of the tail. Arthritic rats were treated with two doses of MTX: 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg twice a week orally for the period of 28 days. The evaluated parameters were body mass, hind-paw swelling, arthrogram scores, serum albumin, total testosterone and leptin on days 14, 21 and 28 of AA. MTX treatment ameliorated all parameters studied dose dependently. Higher dose of MTX induced a significant reduction in the hind-paw swelling, arthritic score, and an increase in serum albumin in all examined time intervals of AA. This dose also significantly improved the suppressed testosterone and leptin levels found in arthritic rats. Prophylactic MTX treatment of rats with AA improved all inflammatory and arthritic parameters studied indicating its clear anti-inflammatory effects. The significant improvement of testosterone and leptin shows beneficial effects of MTX on reproduction and anorexia related leptin reduction during chronic AA.

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Title: Methotrexate treatment ameliorated testicular suppression and anorexia related leptin reduction in rats with adjuvant arthritis
Authors: Jana Jurcovicova
Karol Svik
Sona Scsukova
Katarina Bauerova
Jozef Rovensky
Maria Stancikova
Publication date: 01-08-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Rheumatology International / Issue 10/2009
Print ISSN: 0172-8172
Electronic ISSN: 1437-160X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-0838-2

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