PRETREATMENT OF VITAMIN E AGAINST ACETAMINOPHEN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Waribo Helen Anthony*, Bartimaeus Ebirien Agana Samuel and Nwachukwu Edna Ogechi

ABSTRACT

Vitamin E was evaluated in this study for nephro- protective effects in albino rats exposed to acetaminophen acute toxicity. A total of 30 male and female albino rats weighing between 80-120g were used for the study. They were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 serving as the control received distilled water only, group 2 as the toxicity control received distilled water and intoxicated with 800mg acetaminophen intraperitoneally and group 3 as the pretreated group received 50mg/kg Vitamin E by oral gavage before the intoxication with acetaminophen. Acetaminophen induced a significant (p<0.05) rise in urea, creatinine and potassium and decreased bicarbonate values as evidence of kidney and glomerular damage. Pretreatment with 50mg/kg Vitamin E attenuated the adverse effect of acetaminophen and was seen to salvage the organ. Vitamin E significantly (p<0.05) decreased the values of urea, creatinine and potassium while the bicarbonate level was increased. The results significantly changed when the duration of pretreatment was prolonged particularly on urea and creatinine levels showing a better recovery phase for the renal tissues as seen in the histopathological architecture when compared to the damaged kidney tissue. This result indicates that vitamin E possesses antioxidant protective potential against acetaminophen induced nephrotoxicity in acetaminophen induced renal toxicity.

Keywords: Vitamin E, acetaminophen, pretreatment, renal damage, albino rats.