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