Folinic acid calcium hydrate

Folinic acid (Leucovorin) calcium hydrate is a biological folic acid and is generally administered along with Methotrexate (MTX) as a rescue agent to decrease MTX-induced toxicity[1].

Research Areas >> Cancer

Signaling Pathways >> Cell Cycle/DNA Damage >> Antifolate

Human Endogenous Metabolite

Methotrexate (MTX) alone induces a concentration-related increase in % micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBN) and % aberrant cells (Abs). There is a decrease in nuclear division index (NDI) with increase in MTX concentration. Similarly, the mitotic index (MI) also decreases in all concentrations of MTX tested. The addition of Folinic acid calcium hydrate at 50 μg/ mL significantly reduces % MNBN (40-68%) and % Abs (36-77%). Inhibition is also seen at 5 μg/ mL Folinic acid calcium hydrate (12 to 54% for MNBN and 20 to 61% for Abs) [1].

Folinic acid (7.0 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection; every second day; for 3 weeks; Balb/c young growing male mice) calcium hydrate treatment following Methotrexate (MTX) administration appears to reverse this growth inhibition (Chronic administration of MTX induces suppression of skeletal growth in mice)[2]. Animal Model: 24 Balb/c young growing male mice aged 3 weeks (11.88 ± 0.25 g)[2] Dosage: 7.0 mg/kg Administration: Intraperitoneal injection; every second day; for 3 weeks Result: Following Mthotrexate (MTX) administration appears to reverse this growth inhibition.

[1]. Keshava, C., et al., Inhibition of methotrexate-induced chromosomal damage by folinic acid in V79 cells. Mutat Res, 1998. 397(2): p. 221-8.

[2]. Iqbal MP, et al. Effect of methotrexate and folinic acid on skeletal growth in mice. Acta Paediatr. 2003 Dec;92(12):1438-44.