Effect of Tocopherol on Trypanosoma brucei brucei–Induced Hepatomegaly and Histopathological Indices of Male Wistar Albino Rats
Edoga, C.O., Eyo, J.E., Onah, I.E., Anukwuorji, C.A., Wopara, I., and Ossai, N.I. (98-108)
Abstract
The research was undertaken to determine the effect of tocopherol on Trypanosoma brucei brucei–induced hepatomegaly and histopathological indices of male Wistar albino rats. Fifty-four (54) male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of three (3) rats each replicated three (3) times. The rats were marked and kept in stainless wire cages labeled A–F. Groups A, B, and C were normal, negative, and standard controls, respectively. Groups D, E, and F were infected with 1.0 × 106counts per milliliter and treated with 0.5mg/kg (low dose), 2.5mg/kg (medium dose), and 5.0mg/kg (high dose) of vitamin E per body weight per day, respectively. The experiment lasted for 21 days from the day T. b. brucei infection was established. The sample of serum was collected every seven days across the groups and subjected to liver function analyses. On the last day of the experiment, a sample of the liver of the experimental rats from each group was harvested and subjected to histological studies. The effects of different doses of vitamin Eon the level of biomarkers of hepatomegaly between the treated groups were compared against the controls. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (U/L), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (U/L), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (U/L) were determined. There wasa significant difference (p < 0.05) in the effect of tocopherol on the concentrations of the indicators of hepatomegaly and the duration of the experiment. These reductions were seen in AST, ALP, and ALT between the treated groups and the normal control. After treatment, AST, ALP, and ALT levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the untreated, treated, and control groups. In conclusion, the intervention ameliorated the trypanosome-induced hepatomegaly observed in the parameters measured in the male Wistar albino rats. There was observable infiltration of the periportal areas to degeneration and necrosis on the liver tissues of the negative control group when compared to those of the vitamin E–treated group that showed mild inflammatory changes.