Abstract
Aim: The present work was aimed at evaluating the effect of ascorbic acid on mercuric chloride induced changes on the cerebrum of Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats of average weight of 200g were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. In addition to normal diet, the animals in Group 1 were given distilled water, Groups 2 and 3 were administered 52mg/kg and 26.25mg/kg of mercuric chloride (HgCl) respectively while Groups 4 and 5 were administered 52mg/kg of HgCl and 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid and 26.25gm/kg of HgCl and 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid respectively. Group 6 was administered 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid through oral route, daily for 3 weeks. Results: Oxidative stress assay showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the mean levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase in Groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with the Control while lipid peroxidase showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in Groups 2 and 3. Histological observation of the cerebrum showed a normal architecture in Groups 1 and 6 while, Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed degenerative changes, necrosis and clumping of cells. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid administration has been shown to ameliorate induced degenerative changes in the cerebrum caused by mercuric chloride toxicity in Wistar rats. Keywords: Mercuric chloride, Cerebral cortex, Ascorbic acid, Oxidative stress.
Highlights
Human and animal populations interact with their environment on a daily basis and as such are exposed to a range of chemicals and heavy metals (Burger et al, 2011)
The present study showed clumping of cerebral cortical cells and necrosis of cells in adult Wistar rats administered with different doses of mercuric chloride, while the layers and cells of cerebral cortex of the Control Group showed normal histology
The present study has revealed the ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid on the cerebral cortex in the experimental animals induced with mercuric chloride toxicity
Summary
Human and animal populations interact with their environment on a daily basis and as such are exposed to a range of chemicals and heavy metals (Burger et al, 2011). These interactions with the environment occur through food, air and water (Burger et al, 2011). There is a growing appreciation of the effects that exposure to heavy metals such as mercury may have on the body and, in particular the brain and nervous system.
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