{"title":"Histological effect of methotrexate on submandibular salivary glands in albino rats ( <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> ).","authors":"Bader Khatlan Hameed, Mahmood Nawfal Mustafa, Shaymaa Abdalkader Mahdy","doi":"10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.47","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Methotrexate (MTX), a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is known for its efficacy in the treatment of various malignancies. However, its use is often accompanied by adverse effects on non-target tissues, including the salivary glands.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to identify the histological events and effects of MTX on the salivary glands of the experimental animals (rats).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used albino rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>). The patients were divided into two groups: a control group that received normal saline and a treatment group that received a therapeutic dose of MTX. The animals were euthanized after the specified treatment duration, and their submandibular glands were harvested for histological examination. Tikrit University, College of Veterinary Medicine, from October 2023 to December 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Histological analysis revealed significant alterations in the submandibular gland tissue of the MTX-treated animals compared with the control group. These histological alterations underscore the potential cytotoxic effects of MTX on the salivary glands, which may contribute to the development of xerostomia (dry mouth) and other oral complications in patients undergoing MTX therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MTX administration in albino rats induces histological changes in the submandibular salivary glands. Therefore, further studies using special dyes are recommended to detect more specific changes, as well as the use of some medicinal herbs to reduce the harmful effects of the drug.</p>","PeriodicalId":19531,"journal":{"name":"Open Veterinary Journal","volume":"16 5","pages":"3052-3059"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313897/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Open Veterinary Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.47","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/5/31 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background: Methotrexate (MTX), a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is known for its efficacy in the treatment of various malignancies. However, its use is often accompanied by adverse effects on non-target tissues, including the salivary glands.
Aim: This study aimed to identify the histological events and effects of MTX on the salivary glands of the experimental animals (rats).
Methods: This study used albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). The patients were divided into two groups: a control group that received normal saline and a treatment group that received a therapeutic dose of MTX. The animals were euthanized after the specified treatment duration, and their submandibular glands were harvested for histological examination. Tikrit University, College of Veterinary Medicine, from October 2023 to December 2023.
Results: Histological analysis revealed significant alterations in the submandibular gland tissue of the MTX-treated animals compared with the control group. These histological alterations underscore the potential cytotoxic effects of MTX on the salivary glands, which may contribute to the development of xerostomia (dry mouth) and other oral complications in patients undergoing MTX therapy.
Conclusion: MTX administration in albino rats induces histological changes in the submandibular salivary glands. Therefore, further studies using special dyes are recommended to detect more specific changes, as well as the use of some medicinal herbs to reduce the harmful effects of the drug.
期刊介绍：
Open Veterinary Journal is a peer-reviewed international open access online and printed journal that publishes high-quality original research articles. reviews, short communications and case reports dedicated to all aspects of veterinary sciences and its related subjects. Research areas include the following: Infectious diseases of zoonotic/food-borne importance, applied biochemistry, parasitology, endocrinology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, immunogenetics, surgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology and animal reproduction. All papers are peer-reviewed. Moreover, with the presence of well-qualified group of international referees, the process of publication will be done meticulously and to the highest standards.
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