EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID AND ACETYL-L-CARNITINE ON SUBACUTE CHLORPYRIFOS POISONING IN WISTAR RATS

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Date
2012-03
Authors
UCHENDU, CHIDIEBERE
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Abstract
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) toxicity has been shown to be partly mediated via induction of oxidative stress. In the present study, studies were conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of subacute CPF exposure on haematological and biochemical changes and the ameliorating effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and vitamin C (VC) in Wistar rats. Fiftysix adult male Wistar rats divided into 8 groups of 7 animals each were used for this study. Rats in group I (Soya oil group) received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Rats in groups II (VC) and III (ALC) were administered with vitamin C (100 mg/kg), and ALC (300 mg/kg), while the rats in group IV (VC+ALC) received the combination of VC and ALC at 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. Rats in group V (CPF) received CPF only (8.5 mg/kg ~ 1/10th of the LD50). Rats in groups VI (VC + CPF) and VII (ALC + CPF) were pretreated with VC (100 mg/kg) and ALC (300 mg/kg), respectively and then exposed to CPF (8.5 mg/kg), 30 minutes later. Rats in group VIII (VC+ALC+CPF) were pretreated with VC (100 mg/kg), ALC (300 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF (8.5 mg/kg), 30 minutes later. The regimens were administered orally by gavage once daily for a period of 28 days. During this period, the rats were observed for signs of toxicity and death. At the end of the dosing period, the rats were sacrificed; blood samples collected and analyzed for total red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, platelet count, white blood cells (WBC), absolute white blood count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Sera obtained from the blood sample were analyzed for Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3 -, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin. Hepatic tissues were also examined for malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase). Gross and histopathological examinations were also carried out. The results showed that pretreatment with ALC and/or VC alleviated the alterations in toxic signs, haematological, serum biochemical and hepatic tissues changes induced by subacute CPF exposure in rats. In conclusion, the study has shown oxidative stress is partly involved in the molecular mechanisms of subacute CPF-induced alteration in haematological and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. The amelioration of the CPFinduced alteration in haematological, biochemical and pathological changes by VC and/or ALC may be due to their antioxidant properties. VC was shown to be more potent than ALC in ameliorating the CPF-induced changes in the haematological and biochemical profiles. Their combination also gave a better result in some of the experiment than when either of them was used alone, demonstrating their synergism. Therefore, it is conceivable that farmers, pesticide applicators and individuals who are repeatedly exposed to low-dose CPF and, perhaps other organophosphates may be protected from the pesticide-evoked haematological and biochemical toxicity by pretreatment with ALC and VC alone or their combination.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. NIGERIA. IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. NIGERIA. MARCH, 2011
Keywords
EVALUATION,, EFFECTS,, ASCORBIC ACID,, ACETYL-L-CARNITINE,, SUBACUTE CHLORPYRIFOS,, POISONING,, WISTAR RATS
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