Table 2 Effect of MTX and glutamine on microscopic intestinal parameters, cell proliferation and apoptosis

Villus height (μm)

Jejunum

461 ± 16

460 ± 40

246 ± 11*

281 ± 14*†

Ileum

304 ± 26

294 ± 30

192 ± 17*

255 ± 11*†

Crypt depth (μm)

Jejunum

184 ± 7

148 ± 18

105 ± 8*

138 ± 10*†

Ileum

157 ± 7

131 ± 9

102 ± 3*

136 ± 13*†

Cell proliferation (BrdU positive cells/10 crypts)

Jejunum

158 ± 9

163 ± 13

132 ± 4*

147 ± 5†

Ileum

165 ± 14

189 ± 25

129 ± 4*

152 ± 5†

Cell apoptosis (apoptotic cells/10 villi)

Jejunum

0.7 ± 0.2

0.9 ± 0.26

1.45 ± 0.23*

1.23 ± 0.23

Ileum

0.3 ± 0.05

0.5 ± 0.14

1.44 ± 0.13*

0.85 ± 0.26*†