The Comparative Effects of Vitamin E + C on the Chronic Toxicity of Paraquat in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

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.

Ameliorative Effect of Vitamin E on Paraquat Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rat

“…The significant change in urea level may not necessary depict optimal kidney health because study conducted by same author and other colleagues revealed that paraquat intoxication resulted in significant decrease in total protein levels. Since urea is the by-product of protein metabolism, urea may not rise because protein levels are usually low in paraquat intoxication (Okolonkwo et al, 2022a;Okolonkwo et al, 2022b).…”

“…After the duration of the treatment period, the rats were sedated using chlorofoam, sacrificed and blood sample was collected my means of cardiac puncture (Okolonkwo et al, 2022b).…”

Evaluating the Impact of Vitamin E Treatment on Paraquat Induced Toxicity in Liver

“…After that, we positioned the slanted needle inside the rat's mouth horizontally, making sure to avoid the teeth in the middle. Paraquat was slowly dispensed from the syringe into the rat's mouth [10].…”

“…Manually determining ALP requires the following formula: IU/L = 2760 x A 405 nm/min. Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) method: by Okolonkwo et al (2022) [10].…”

Antidotal Effect of Vitamin E and C in the Management of Paraquat Intoxication in Rat

“…Each group mentioned was subdivided into two subgroups designed "0" and "VEC" so that the total number of subgroups were 8; A0 and AVEC, B0 and BVEC, C0 and CVEC, and D0 and DVEC. All "VEC" subgroups (AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC) were treated with 500mg of vitamin E and 2000mg/dl of vitamin C every week for 3 months [10].…”