EFFECT OF THE JOINT SUPPLEMENTATION OF VITAMIN C AND VITAMIN E ON NICKEL HEAMATOTOXICITY AND NEPHROTOXICITY IN MALE SWISS ALBINO MICE

摘要

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamins C and E separately and in combination against nickel-induced alterations in haematological indices and kidney dysfunction. Methods: Male Swiss albino mice were divided into eight equal groups: Control, vitamin C (Vit C), vitamin E (Vit E), vitamin C and vitamin E (Vit C+Vit E), nickel (Ni), nickel and vitamin C (Ni+Vit C), nickel and vitamin E (Ni+Vit E), and nickel plus vitamins C and E (Ni+Vit C+Vit E). Vitamin C (1g/l) was given to mice through their drinking water. Vitamin E (1g/kg) and nickel as nickel sulfate (2.7 mg/kg) were supplemented in diet for four weeks. Results: Nickel caused a significant decrease in body weight, food and water consumption along with significant increase in the absolute and relative kidney weights. Haemoglobin, red blood cells count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, platelet counts (Plt) and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly diminished, while white blood cells count (WBC) increased in nickel exposed mice. The renal damage induced by nickel was evidenced by a significant increase in the levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid. However, vitamins C and E in combination more significantly ameliorated the altered histopathological and biochemical changes in the kidney as well as hematological parameters of Ni intoxicated mice than either vitamin C or E. Conclusion: The study showed that vitamin C and E combination effectively attenuated Ni-induced heamatotoxicity and nephrotoxiicty in mice. Keywords : Nickel,?Vitamins?C,?Vitamin E,?Heamatotoxicity,?Kidney?injury,?Histopathology