No abstract

Paraquat (PQ) is a bipyridylium herbicide; applied around trees in orchards and between crop rows to control broad-leaved and grassy weeds. Its oxidation results in the formation of superoxides which causes damage to cellular components. In this study, we determined the antioxidant effect vitamin C has on the liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alanine aminotranferease (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)] of rats under this toxic insult. Male rats in groups (A, B, C and D) were intraperitoneally injected with different sublethal increasing doses (0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 g/kg body weigh) of PQ respectively on monthly basis. Subsequently, the subgroups (A₂, B₂, C₂ and D₂) were given orally, 200 mg/L vitamin C, while the subgroups A₁, B₁, C₁, and D₁, received only water. Four animals per subgroup were decapitated on monthly basis and blood samples taken for enzyme assay. The parameters studied were - SGOT, SGPT, ALP and GGT - liver enzymes. The dose and time dependent PQ toxicity effect resulted in highly elevated Liver enzymes activities. The subgroups on vitamin C had significantly lower enzyme activities when compared to the same subgroups on only PQ insult. But the values were high when compared to the control subgroups (A₁ and A₂). These results were indication that vitamin C when given at moderate doses and maintained for a longer period could be a life saving adjunct to toxic insult

Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical used in weed control. Paraquat is known for its ability to generate reactive oxygen species that attack cells and membranes. Vitamin E is a group of vitamins which dissolves in fat and possess antioxidant properties which act as a defense to the cells against oxidative stress arising from reactive oxygen species, whereas Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and a very potent antioxidant which protects the cells of the body from free radicals. The study aim was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of a combination therapy of vitamin E and C on biochemical markers of paraquat induced male albino rats. 200 male albino rats with 0.2±0.02 kg mean weight were used. The 200 rats were divided into four main groups with 50 rats within a group. The groups were labeled A, B C and D. The “A” group was neutral; “B” group was induced with 0.02 g, “C” 0.06g, and “D” 0.06 g of paraquat per kg rat every two weeks for three months. The main groups further had subgroups. “A” group had “A0” and “AVEC” subgroups; “B” group had “B0” and “BVEC” subgroups; “C” group had “C0” and “CVEC” subgroups; “D” group had “D0” and “DVEC” subgroups. “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups were not administered with vitamin E + C therapy while “AVEC”, “BVEC”, “CVEC” and “DVEC” were treated orally with 500 mg of vitamin E weekly and  2000 mg/l of vit C medicated water for one month. After then, the rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected and analyzed for the liver function; T. bilirubin, D. bilirubin, T. protein, albumin, and globulin. ANOVA intergroup comparison of A0, B0, C0 and D0 was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intergroup comparison of AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intra-group comparison showed significant difference only in total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels, p-value<0.05. This study therefore has shown that weekly treatment with Vit E + C in one month can treat liver toxicity in rats.

Paraquat has been considered as a toxicant in various countries, since it is not only intensely harmful but yet promptly accessible and generally cheap. Vitamin C and E are notable cancer prevention agents that respond rapidly to free radical and maximally forestall lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative impact of vitamin E and C in paraquat induced liver poisoning in rat. A total of 200 male wistar rats were obtained for the study. With 50 rats each, the rats were arranged into four grougs: A, B, C, and D. Each group was partitioned into two subgroups (0 and VEC), each with 25 rodents. The "A" group was not treated with paraquat, while the "B," "C," and "D" groups got 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g of paraquat treatment respectively. All the "0" subgroups were those not treated with Vit E and C and all “VEC” subgroups were those treated with 500mg of vitamin E and 2000mg/dl of vitamin C. The paraquat treatment was administered once every 2 weeks for 3 months, followed by one month of week by week vitamin E and C treatment. Blood was drawn for SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and GGT testing. At p-value of 0.05, there was a significant increase in the activities of liver enzymes among the "A0", "B0", "C0", and "D0" groups. There was a significant decrease (P-value<0.05) in the activities of liver enzymes in “VEC” subgroups. This study uncovered that vitamin E and C combined treatment ameliorated the Paraquat induced liver injury in rats.

Paraquat is an environmental pollutant that is associated with some disorders including alteration of some harmatological indices and is a concern to public health. Vitamin E has antioxidant property and other characteristic roles that ameliorate toxic effect. 200 male albino rats weighing 0.2±0.02kg on the average were divided into four main groups (A, B, C, and D) with 50 rats in one group. The “A” group was not served paraquat solution and was used as the control group. Group “B”, “C”, “D” being the treatment group were given dose rates of paraquat of 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g, of paraquat per kg rat respectively every two weeks for three months. The main groups further had subgroups. “A”, “A0” and “AVE”; “B”, “B0” and “BVE”; “C” had “C0” and “CVE”; and “D”, “D0” and “DVE” subgroups. Vitamin E was not given to subgroups “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups while “AVE”, “BVE”, “CVE” and “DVE” were fed orally with 500mg of vitamin E therapy every week. Treatment with vitamin E began three months after paraquat treatment. At the end of the weekly treatment with vitamin E for a month, the rats were sacrificed and their blood samples were obtained and analyzed for PCV, Hb, WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte. A0, B0, C0 and D0 intergroup comparison was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in PCV and Hb levels while their WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte had no statistical significance. Ave, Be, Cve and Dve intergroup comparison was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in PCV and Hb levels while WBC, lymphocyte and neutrophils had no statistical significance among the groups. Intra group comparison showed that only PCV and Hb were significant between groups, p-value<0.05. This study confirms that vitamin E is potent in treating paraquat toxicity in male albino rats on one month of weekly treatment.