Omega-3 offers better hypothalamus protection by decreasing POMC expression and elevating ghrelin hormone: a prospective trial to overcome methotrexate-induced anorexia

Abstract

Purpose Methotrexate (MTX) therapy is widely used in treatment of different types of diseases including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. However, most of patients respond well to MTX, they suffer from multiple side effects including severe anorexia. Omega-3 fatty acid possesses many beneficial biological activities. Therefore, the objective of our study is to explore the effect of the combined modality of omega-3 (400 mg/kg/day) in MTX-induced anorexia in rats. Methods The effect of MTX alone and in combination with omega-3 on the body weight, ghrelin hormone level, histopathological findings of taste buds and hypothalamus and POMC gene expression were investigated. Results Interestingly, the capability of omega-3 to overcome the anorexic effect of MTX could be manifested by controlling weight loss, increasing serum HDL, elevating the ghrelin level as well as reducing both lesions within taste buds and hypothalamus and hypothalamic POMC gene expression. Conclusions our findings revealed that the omega-3 might be used as a complementary supplement during the MTX therapy to ameliorate its anorexic effect.