Methotrexate neuroenteropathy--a histochemical study.

10 mg/kg Methotrexate was injected daily for 5 d a week for a total period of 3 weeks and its effect on autonomic nerve profiles of jejunum was studied using histochemical methods. Initially (after 5 doses in a week) partial degeneration of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve supply was observed. Prolonged treatment (15 does in 3 weeks) was responsible for disappearance of about 30% of adrenergic and 50% of cholinergic nerve profiles. Early degenerative changes in the cholinergic nerve cells of the intestinal plexuses was also noted.