Topic:Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a chemotherapeutic agent and immunosuppressant that is occasionally used in equine medicine for the management of certain conditions. It functions by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is involved in the synthesis of nucleotides necessary for DNA replication and cell division. In horses, methotrexate is sometimes employed in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases and certain neoplastic conditions. This compound can affect rapidly dividing cells and modulate the immune system, leading to its use in specific therapeutic contexts. The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and potential side effects of methotrexate in equine patients are areas of ongoing research. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, mechanisms, and safety considerations of methotrexate in equine medicine.
Long-term successful treatment of a donkey with cutaneous lupus erythematous with methotrexate. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a rare immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of the authors' knowledge it has not been described in donkeys. A 5-year-old male neutered donkey, living in south-east France, was diagnosed with CLE. Clinical signs included generalized symmetrical areas of alopecia, erythema, crusting and scales. Diagnostic tests included examination of skin biopsy samples by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis which demonstrated an interface dermatitis with CD8+ T cells. The skin condition was successfully treated initially with glucocorticoids and methotre...
Pharmacokinetics of low-dose methotrexate in horses. This study aimed to investigate both the pharmacokinetic behavior and tolerance of methotrexate (MTX) in horses to design a specific dosing regimen as a new immunomodulatory drug for long-term treatment. To determine the primary plasma pharmacokinetic variables after single intravenous, subcutaneous or oral administration, six horses were administered 0.3 mg/kg MTX in a crossover design study. After a 10-week washout, MTX was administered subcutaneously to three of the six previously treated horses at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg once per week for 3 months. In both studies, MTX and metabolite concen...
Horse lymphocyte cell synchronization: improved technique for chromosome analysis. A method using methotrexate for horse lymphocyte cell synchronization and thymidine for incorporation into DNA replication is described. This method provides a powerful technique for the study of chromosomal abnormalities and detailed analysis of chromosomal replication patterns. The determination of horse karyotypes with many similar chromosomes needs a special method which reveals the numerous and informative stages of the cell cycle. Horse lymphocyte cell cultures treated with colcemid (20 min) and harvested 6 hours after the release of the 17 hour-block with methotrexate show the best resu...