The Comparative Effects of Vitamin E + C on the Chronic Toxicity of Paraquat in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical used in weed control. Paraquat is known for its ability to generate reactive oxygen species that attack cells and membranes. Vitamin E is a group of vitamins which dissolves in fat and possess antioxidant properties which act as a defense to the cells against oxidative stress arising from reactive oxygen species, whereas Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and a very potent antioxidant which protects the cells of the body from free radicals. The study aim was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of a combination therapy of vitamin E and C on biochemical markers of paraquat induced male albino rats. 200 male albino rats with 0.2±0.02 kg mean weight were used. The 200 rats were divided into four main groups with 50 rats within a group. The groups were labeled A, B C and D. The “A” group was neutral; “B” group was induced with 0.02 g, “C” 0.06g, and “D” 0.06 g of paraquat per kg rat every two weeks for three months. The main groups further had subgroups. “A” group had “A0” and “AVEC” subgroups; “B” group had “B0” and “BVEC” subgroups; “C” group had “C0” and “CVEC” subgroups; “D” group had “D0” and “DVEC” subgroups. “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups were not administered with vitamin E + C therapy while “AVEC”, “BVEC”, “CVEC” and “DVEC” were treated orally with 500 mg of vitamin E weekly and  2000 mg/l of vit C medicated water for one month. After then, the rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected and analyzed for the liver function; T. bilirubin, D. bilirubin, T. protein, albumin, and globulin. ANOVA intergroup comparison of A0, B0, C0 and D0 was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intergroup comparison of AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intra-group comparison showed significant difference only in total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels, p-value<0.05. This study therefore has shown that weekly treatment with Vit E + C in one month can treat liver toxicity in rats.