AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN C ON ANXIETY AND MOTOR COORDINATION IN LEAD-INDUCED TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS
AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN C ON ANXIETY AND MOTOR COORDINATION IN LEAD-INDUCED TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS
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Date
2013-01
Authors
BAGI, SULEIMAN JOSEPH
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Lead (Pb) is a widespread toxic metal found in the environment with potential danger to
human health. It is used in the manufacture of batteries, metal products, paints and other
domestic substances. A series of lead poisoning in Zamfara State Nigeria has led to the
deaths of atleast 400 people between March and June 2010. This study investigated the
ameliorative effect of vitamin C on anxiety using the open field text and motor
coordination using beam walk test and forepaw grip test in lead-induced toxicity in
wistar rats. Twenty four male rats divided into four groups of six animals were used for
the study. Group I received Distilled water (2ml/kg), group II received diazepam
(0.05mg/kg), group III received lead (250mg/kg), group IV received vitamin C
(100mg/kg) and 30minutes later was administered lead (250mg/kg). The regimen was
administered by oral gavage. The assessment of behaviour was performed on days 0, 14th
and 28th in open field (OF) which assessed anxiety function, beam walk (BW) which
assessed motor co-ordination and forepaw grip (FG) which assessed motor strength.
After the period of 28 days, rats were sacrificed and the brains homogenised, the
malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and
acetylcholinestarase enzyme (ACHE) were estimated. In the open field There was a
significant increase in line crossing 32 ± 5.04, stretch attend 10.01 ± 2.02, rearing 11.66
± 0.17, a decrease was observed in grooming 1.05 ± 0.43 and freezing 0.83 ± 0.65 while
in the beam walk a significant increase and an increase in muscle strength was observed
in the group treated with lead and vitamin C. There was a significant decrease in
concentration of the enzymes SOD 1.62 ± 0.07, CAT 40 ± 4.00 and ACHE 20.2 ± 2.49
and a significant increase in MDA concentration 2.08 ± 0.11 in the group treated with
lead due to the generation of radical oxygen species ROS as a result of lead toxicity. It
can be concluded that the reduced level of anxiety, muscular incoordination, imbalance
and muscular weakness in rats following exposure to lead can be ameliorated by the use
of pretreatment with vitamin C.
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Keywords
AMELIORATIVE,, EFFECT,, VITAMIN,, ANXIETY,, MOTOR,, COORDINATION,, LEAD-INDUCED,, TOXICITY,, WISTAR RATS.