VITAMINS C AND E AS AMELIORATIVE AGENTS ON BODY TEMPERATURE AND SERUM CHEMISTRY OF WISTAR RATS INFECTED WITH T. brucei brucei (Federe strain)

Abstract

Effect of oral administration of vitamins C and E on the body temperature and serum chemistry of Wistar rats infected with T. brucei brucei (Federe strain) was investigated. Twenty-five Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals each.  Group I was administered with 0.5 mL normal saline only, group II was inoculated with 0.1 × 106 in 0.2 mL blood/PBS of T. brucei brucei only. Groups III, IV, and V were administered the same dose of parasites as in group II, and in addition, they were administered with 150 mg/kg b.w. of Vitamin C; 150 mg/kg b.w. of Vitamin E, and the combination of both Vitamins in the last group, respectively.  Body temperature increased consistently in all groups except group I. However, there was a significant (P< 0.05) difference in all treated groups compared to group II on day 28 post-infection.  ALT was significantly (P< 0.05) lower only in the group treated with combined vitamins compared to group II. AST and Creatinine decreased significantly (P< 0.05), whereas the decrease recorded for Urea was highly significant (P< 0.01) in all the treated groups compared to group II, values recorded for ALP followed the same pattern but in a converse direction. In conclusion, the administration of vitamins C and E, particularly in its combined form ameliorated the negative effect on the body temperature and serum biochemistry profiles of the infected rats