Ameliorating Effect of Vitamin C on Aluminium Phosphide-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the potential toxic effect of aluminium phosphide (AlP) and the protective role of vitamin C on liver, kidney and haematology biomarkers using Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups of five animals each. Group1 served as control and was administered distilled water. Groups 2, 5 and 6 were administered with AlP-laced diet (1.2 mg/kg) for 28 days. Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 received vitamin C at varying doses (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) also throughout the duration of the experiment. At the end of the treatments, all the rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected. Serum biomarkers and haematology markers were assayed. Data collected were analyzed using student t-test and ANOVA. Vitamin C significantly (P<0.05) reversed AlP-induced alterations in liver function parameters with ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin levels reduced by 6.3%, 14.9%, 9.8% and 13.4%. Albumin and total protein levels increased by 9.8% and 13.4%. Alterations in kidney function indices were also significantly(P<0.05) reversed with creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium and chloride levels reduced by 20.3%, 36.2%, 4.7%, 4.9% and 37.4%. Also the alterations observed in haematological indices were significantly (P<0.05) reversed with red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased by 15.4%, 15.3% and 13%. White blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophils and platelet levels reduced by 14.6%, 5.5%, 21.4% and 14.3% respectively. Vitamin C can therefore be inferred to be protective against AlP toxicity and could potentially serve as an agent against its poisoning. Keywords: Aluminium phosphide, Haematological parameters, Kidney injury, Liver injury, Vitamin C