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

Abstract

The liver is an essential organ involved in anabolic and catabolic processes in the body. Substance like paraquat is injurious to the liver by way of oxidative damage. Vitamin E and C are known antioxidant used to tackle oxidative stress. The aim of this study was focused at evaluating the antidotal benefit of vitamin E and C in the treatment of paraquat intoxication in rat. Exactly 200 rats were obtained and grouped into four main groups (A, B, C and D) with each group having 50 rats. Except “A” group which was the control, all groups were treated with paraquat in doses of 0.02g, 0.04g and 0.06g respectively every 2 weeks for 3 months. All groups were subdivided into two groups designated as “0” and “VEC” amounting to a total of 8 subgroups. All subgroups with “VEC” designation were treated with 500mg of vitamin E and 2000mg/dl of vitamin C weekly for 3 months. Blood samples collected after treatment duration were via cardiac puncture and blood was assayed for liver enzyme activities. Results revealed that there was a significant increase (p-value<0.05) in liver enzyme activities among the groups (A0, B0, C0 and D0). Also, there was a significant drop in liver enzyme activities after vitamin E and C supplementation.