Impact of methotrexate on oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in psoriatic patients

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX), a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, is considered an effective drug in the treatment of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to find out whether the effect of MTX treatment in psoriasis is due to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Psoriasis vulgaris patients (58 in number) were recruited for this study. Healthy volunteers (45 in number) served as control. Samples of psoriatic patients were collected and analyzed for total reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, nitrite, nitrate levels and the activities of antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant status (TAS) and also the protein expression of caspase-3, before (Day 0) and after (at the end of 6 and 12 weeks) MTX treatment. Our results show a significant increase in tissue ROS and plasma MDA after MTX treatment when compared with before MTX treatment in psoriasis patients (p < 0.001). The levels of serum nitrite and nitrate were decreased significantly after MTX treatment (p < 0.001). The activities of plasma SOD, TAS and serum CAT levels were decreased, but not significantly after 12 weeks of treatment. The expression of caspase-3 was increased after MTX treatment. In conclusion, MTX induce apoptosis through oxidative stress by reducing NO and increasing caspase-3 levels. MTX-induced apoptosis may account for the beneficial effect of MTX treatment in psoriasis patients, which is characterized by acanthosis.

Effect of antipsoriatic therapy on oxidative stress index and sialic acid levels in patients with psoriasis

“…Oxidative stress contributes to the efficacy as well as the toxicity of methotrexate treatment. Elango et al . have attributed the efficacy of methotrexate in psoriasis after 12 weeks’ treatment to its induction of oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis.…”

“…Oxidative stress contributes to the efficacy as well as the toxicity of methotrexate treatment. Elango et al 24 have attributed difference in oxidative stress markers after 8 weeks methotrexate therapy, suggesting that long-term treatment with its higher cumulative doses might result in increased oxidative stress. In the present study, treatment with methotrexate lowered the oxidative stress parameters.…”

Effects of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Seed and Peel Methanolic Extracts on Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile Changes Induced by Methotrexate in Rats

“…The findings of most previous investigations are in agreement with the findings of the present study. In a study by Elango et al , 16 plasma MDA was significantly increased (p<0.001) and the activities of plasma SOD, TAC, and serum CAT levels decreased (but not significant) after MTX treatment in psoriasis patients. WANG et al , 7 in their study, demonstrated that PPE and black bean peel extract, particularly a combination of both can inhibit the pancreas damage due to OS resulting in ameliorating hyperglycemia.…”

State of free-radical processes and antioxidant defence of patients with psoriasis and concomitant essential hypertension

“…Increased formation and accumulation in tissues of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive molecules and free radicals cause overstress and failure in functioning of antioxidant defence (AOD) having the minimum potential with formation of oxidative stress in connective tissue [16].…”