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Protective effect of aged garlic extract on the small intestinal damage of rats induced by methotrexate
T Horie1, H Matsumoto, M Kasagi
1Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Japan. horieto@p.chiba-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The methotrexate (MTX) administration to rats causes the damage of small intestine. The small intestinal damage was evaluated by measuring the intestinal permeability of the poorly absorbable compound, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran (average molecular weight, 4,400) (FD-4) using the in vitro everted intestine technique and by determining the FD-4 that appeared in plasma using the in situ closed loop intestine technique. The MTX administration to rats fed with the standard laboratory diet increased the small intestinal permeability of FD-4 due to the damage of the small intestine. Interestingly, the permeability of FD-4, when MTX was administered to rats fed with the aged garlic extract containing diet, was depressed almost to the level of control rats without the MTX treatment. The present study showed that the aged garlic extract protected the small intestine from the damage induced by the action of MTX on the crypt cells.
Insights
Aged garlic extract protects the small intestine from methotrexate (MTX) damage. This study shows aged garlic extract significantly reduces MTX-induced intestinal permeability in rats, preserving gut health.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy agent known to cause small intestinal damage.
- Increased intestinal permeability is a key indicator of gut barrier dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) against MTX-induced small intestinal damage in rats.
- To evaluate the impact of AGE on intestinal permeability following MTX administration.
Main Methods:
- Intestinal permeability was assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran (FD-4) via in vitro everted intestine and in situ closed loop techniques.
- Rats were administered MTX with either a standard diet or a diet supplemented with aged garlic extract.
Main Results:
- MTX administration significantly increased small intestinal permeability in rats on a standard diet.
- Aged garlic extract supplementation markedly reduced FD-4 intestinal permeability, nearly to control levels, in MTX-treated rats.
- This suggests AGE mitigates MTX-induced damage to the small intestine's crypt cells.
Conclusions:
- Aged garlic extract demonstrates a significant protective effect on the small intestine against MTX-induced toxicity.
- Dietary supplementation with aged garlic extract may be a viable strategy to prevent or reduce chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal side effects.