Study on the Therapeutic Benefits of Vitamin E after Paraquat Toxicity

The Paraquat (1, 1-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridlium dichloride) is a non-selective nitrogen herbicide that is used for broadleaf control of weed. It has been shown that paraquat is toxic to human and animal. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a lipid soluble antioxidant found in all cellular membranes. It helps in protecting the cell against lipid peroxidation. It has been documented that vitamin E has a protective effect against PQ-induced hematological toxicity in albino rats. This study was carried out to evaluate the haematological effect of Vitamin E therapy on the chronic toxicity of paraquat in Albino rats. . A total of 200 male albino rats were used for the study. The 200 rats were divided into four main groups (A, B, C, D) and each group had 50 rats and was further subgrouped into two, having 25rats per subgroup. “A” group was not induced with paraquat while “B”, ‘C” and “D” groups were induced in increasing dose of 0.02g, 0.04g and 0.06g respectively. “A” group had two subgroups; “Ao” and “Ave” which represented the sub-group not treated with Vit E and the subgroup treated with Vit E (500mg) respectively. This design also applied to group “B”, “C” and “D”. Paraquat induction frequency was done every forth night for three month followed by weekly treatment for three months. The result showed a significant decrease in PCV, Hb, and TWBC count for group in the Ao, Bo, Co and Do at p<0.05 but no significant difference in the neutrophil and lymphocyte count. It also showed a significant increase in the Hb, and PCV of subgroups Ave, Bve, Cve and Dve at p<0.05 but no significant difference in the TWBC count and differentials. This suggest that Vitamin E supplementation had an ameliorative effect on the PCV and Hb values but no effect on the TWBC count and differentials on paraquat toxicity.