Erythropoietin’s Therapeutic Value in Preventing Methotrexate’s Adverse Renal Effects

Abstract

Introduction: Methotrexate may cause problems with the kidneys. Nonetheless, erythropoietin’s advantageous
extra-hematopoietic impact may protect against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity. Objectives: Clarifying the
impact of renoprotective erythropoietin on renofunctional and renomorphological aspects in adult male albino rats
will help determine its role in mitigating methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods: 60 male
albino rats were used in the investigation, and they were divided equally into 3 groups. The control one received
normal saline 2 times a week for 9 weeks at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW). Group 2 received 0.5 mg/kg
BW intraperitoneal injections of methotrexate hydrate twice a week for 9 weeks. Group 3 received methotrexate
hydrate intraperitoneally for the same amount of time and at the same dosage as group 2, along with a onceweekly
subcutaneous injection (S.C) of 100 IU/kg recombinant human erythropoietin. Rats were slaughtered,
renal sections were ready for histological analysis, and serum urea, creatinine, and albuminuria were determined
at the conclusion of the study. Results: The methotrexate-treated group showed significantly higher levels of
renal function assessed chemicals with worsening histological renal alterations when compared to the control or
the methotrexate and erythropoietin co-treated group. The latter showed significantly improved microscopic renal
alterations along with statistically significant reductions in the drug levels. Furthermore, there were negligible
statistical differences in renal morphology and biochemistry between different groups. Conclusion: This study
found that animals given with erythropoietin in addition to methotrexate provided a valuable and effective
resistance against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity.