Effect of Tocopherol on Trypanosoma brucei brucei-Induced Nephropathy and Histopathological Indices of Male Wistar Albino Rats
C. Edoga,and C. Anukwuorji, (44-55)
Abstract
The research aimed at determining the effect of tocopherol on T. b. brucei-induced nephropathy and histopathological indices of male Wistar albino rats. Fifty-four male Wistar albino rats were 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 × 106 trypanosomes and treated with 0.5 mg (low dose), 2.5 mg (medium dose), and 5.0 mg (high dose) of vitamin E per kilogram of body weight per day, respectively. The sample of serum was collected weekly across the groups and subjected to kidney function analyses. After one month, a sample of the kidney of the rats was harvested for histological studies. The effects of different doses of vitamin E on the level of biomarkers of hepatomegaly between the treated groups were compared against the controls. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the effects of the levels of the biomarkers of nephropathy, which were also dependent on the duration of the study. There were multifocal degenerations, congestion, necrosis, and morphologic alterations in the renal tissues of the negative control group when compared to the vitamin E-treated groups. In conclusion, vitamin E ameliorated the trypanosome-induced nephropathy observed in the parameters measured in the T. b. brucei-infected rats.