PROTECTIVE AND AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF VITAMIN C AGAINST LEAD TOXICITY IN MALE CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIES)

The present work aimed to assess the potential role of vitamin C (50 mg/kg body weight) as a protector and/or ameliorator against the toxicity of Pb (0.6 g/kg body weight) in male camel, Camelus dromedarius. Camels were divided into five groups. The 1st group was given de-ionized water, whereas camels of the 2nd group were given orally a single dose of Pb alone as lead acetate. The 3rd group was given a single dose of Pb, then after two days, camels were daily subcutaneously injected with vitamin C for four weeks. Vitamin C was daily injected for two weeks to camels of the 4th group; then administered a single dose of Pb. The camels of the 5th group were given a single dose of Pb, and at the same time, injected daily with vitamin C for four weeks. The data indicated that vitamin C reduced significantly the accumulation of Pb in the blood of groups 3, 4, and 5. The levels of glucose, Ca, P, total proteins, globulins, albumin, uric acid, creatinine and urea, as well as transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activities, and the white and red blood cells, hemoglobin content and hematocrit value were significantly ameliorated by vitamin C. In conclusion, vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant against Pb toxicity for camels.