THE EFFECT OF COMMONLY USED ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES AND SEX HORMONES

Thiazide, a diuretic medication, is often used to treat high blood pressure and fluid accumulation leading to edema visible in various parts of the body. Complications and severe adverse effects have been reported with some antihypertensive drugs. This research assessed the effects of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTz), a thiazide diuretic, on selected biochemical indices and sex hormones in Wistar albino rats. A reputable brand of HCTz tablets was purchased from Joez Pharmacy, Zik’s Avenue, Awka, and used for the study. A total of ninety-four (94) male and female Wistar rats, purchased from Chris Animal Farm and Laboratories, Awka, were used. Twenty-four (24) Wistar rats were used for an acute toxicity test employing Lorke’s method. The remaining seventy (70) animals were divided into three major groups (A, B, and C). Groups B and C were further subdivided into B1, B2, B3, and C1, C2, C3. Each subgroup and group A (control) contained ten (10) animals, paired males and females housed in different cages for group A, B, and C. All animals in group B received a diet with ten percent (10%) fructose for twenty-one days to induce hypertension before administering HCTz. HCTz was administered at graded doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg body weight to the subgroups of groups B and C for 60 days. Liver and kidney functions were evaluated, and testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone levels were monitored to assess the effects of the drug on reproductive hormones. All analyses were conducted using standard methods. The results showed no significant changes in the mean AST and ALT activities of the test rats compared to the control. The mean alkaline phosphatase activity in subgroups C1 (54.33 ± 1.75 IU/L), C2 (54.17 ± 2.79 IU/L), and C3 (53.17 ± 2.48 IU/L) was significantly higher than the control (46.50 ± 5.44 IU/L). The mean urea and creatinine levels in all subgroups were significantly higher than in the control (group A), with group C showing higher values than group B. Electrolyte analysis revealed significant increases in the mean sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in subgroups B1, B2, C1, C2, and C3 compared to the control. The study observed an insignificant increase (p > 0.05) in testosterone levels across the groups and subgroups compared to the control. Female hormone analysis indicated an insignificant decrease in progesterone levels. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that HCTz may have some negative effects on the organs of hypertensive subjects; alterations in sex hormone levels could potentially impact normal fertility in men and women.