International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

The Role of Vitamin E in Hepatophysiology of Paraquat Induced Toxicity

Benjamin Nnamdi Okolonkwo *

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

The organic molecule paraquat, commonly known as methyl viologen, has the chemical formula [(C6H7N)2]Cl2. Paraquat is an oxidant that disrupts electron transport and other normal cell functions in all living things through the generation of free radicals. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with powerful antioxidant properties that aid in the protection of cell membranes against reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study evaluated the ameliorative impact of vitamin E on paraquat-induced hepatotocity in rats. 200 male rats with a mean weight of 0.20.02kg were used for this study. The 200 rats were divided into four groups of 50 each. A, B, C, and D were the four sections. The "A" group was no treated with paraquat, whereas the "B," "C," and "D" groups were given 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g of paraquat per kilogram of rat every two weeks for three months. Each had group had subclasses. The "A" group had "A₀" and "A_VE" subgroups; the "B" group had "B₀" and "B_VE"; "C" group had "C₀" and "C_VE" subgroups; and “D” group had "D₀" and "D_VE" subgroups. "A₀," was the control, "B₀," "C₀," and "D₀" subgroups received paraquat treatment. The "A_VE," was fed 500mg of vitamin E only, while "B_VE," "C_VE," and "D_VE" were treated with paraquat and Vit E. Vit E treatment commenced weekly for two months after paraquat poisoning. The blood was taken and examined for t. bilirubin, d. bilirubin, t. protein, albumin and globulin levels. An inter group comparative analysis of A ₀, B₀, C₀, D₀; A_VE, B_VE, C_VE, D_VE, and an intra group comparison of A₀ vs A_VE, B₀ vs B_VE, C₀ vs C_VE, and D₀ vs D_VE showed a significant difference in t. protein, d. bilirubin, t. bilirubin, albumin and globulin levels. This study showed that vitamin to a great extent is effective in treating chronic toxicity of paraquat on a two month basis and is powerful is restoring balance in the levels of liver parameters disrupted by paraquat toxicity.

Keywords: Paraquat, liver, antioxidant, vitamin E

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