Methotrexate (Mtx) Effects On Calcium-Transport And Bone Mineralization In Animals

The appearance of rickets in a 6 year old girl receiving MTX for acute lymphatic leukemia prompted a study of the effects of this compound on calcium transport and bone mineralization in animal models. Five days after a single MTX dose (15 mg/M2 IP) rats showed a 75% decrease in TCa as measured in everted duodenal sacs. A second dose reduced TCa to 8% of the control value; it then increased gradually, reaching 78% 20 days after the second MTX dose.