Histopathological changes induced by methotrexate in bone and bone marrow of male and female white mice

The present study was conducted on 40 females and males white mice of approximately the same ages (4-6 weeks) and body weights (23-25 gm), for the aim of observing the toxic effects and histopathological changes on bones of mice due to prolonged treatment (6 months) with anticancer chemotherapeutic agents namely methotrexate. Forty mice were divided into 4 equal groups (10 mice of each group – 5 mice per sex). The first group (low or therapeutic dose group) was received 0.15 mg/ kg, I/M once weekly. The second group (intermediate dose group) received 0.30 mg/kg, I/M once weekly. The third (toxic dose group) received 0.45 mg/kg I/M once weekly. The fourth group was a control group, it received 0.2 ml buffered normal saline, I/M once weekly.The results showed Methotrexate can cause osteoporosis and bone marrow suppression, due to cytotoxic effects of it on bone marrow.