Effects of methotrexate in a toluene diisocyanate-induced allergic rhinitis rat model

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of low-dose topical administration of methotrexate (MTX) in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic rhinitis rat model. Materials and Methods: The experiments were performed on 18 healthy male Wistar albino rats weighing between 250-270 g. Rats were divided into four study groups: control group (n=5), sham group (n=3), steroid group (n=5), and MTX group (n=5). After the drugs were administered, multiple biopsies were taken bilaterally from the nasal mucosal areas and evaluated histologically for fibrosis, loss of cilia and goblet cells, edema, squamous cell metaplasia, and vascular proliferation. Results: Fibrosis, loss of cilia cells, edema, and vascular proliferation were significantly lower in both MTX and steroid groups than in the control group (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences with respect to histopathological parameters between the steroid group and the MTX group (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences with respect to loss of goblet cells and squamous cell metaplasia among the studied groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Methotrexate may be an alternative or adjuvant therapeutic agent in allergic rhinitis.