Combinatory Effect of Deferoxamine and Alpha-Tocopherol on Iron Overload-Induced Wistar Rat

Background: Iron overload can lead to severe oxidative stress and damage in various tissues. Deferoxamine and alpha-tocopherol are known for their iron-chelating and antioxidant properties, respectively. This study investigates the combined effect of these agents on iron overload-induced Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and the haematology laboratory of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State. Ethical approval was obtained from the Babcock University Health Research Ethics Committee. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (150-200g) were acclimatized for two weeks and randomly assigned to five groups (n=5). Iron overload was induced using iron (II) chloride, and treatments were administered as follows: Group A (negative control), Group B (positive control, iron overload only), Group C (iron overload + deferoxamine), Group D (iron overload + alpha-tocopherol), and Group E (iron overload + deferoxamine + alpha-tocopherol). Haematological parameters and serum ferritin levels were measured using automated methods and ELISA, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS with ANOVA, considering p<0.05 as statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in haematological parameters among groups. However, serum ferritin levels significantly decreased in Groups C, D, and E compared to Group B (p<0.001). The combination of deferoxamine and alpha-tocopherol (Group E) showed a notable reduction in serum ferritin, indicating enhanced efficacy. Conclusion: The combined administration of deferoxamine and alpha-tocopherol effectively reduces iron overload in Wistar rats, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for managing iron overload conditions.