Abstract

The effects of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were studied on serum testosterone concentration in chloroquine-treated rats. Thirty five (35) adult male rats weighing 160 - 200 g were divided into seven groups of five (5) rats each. Group I rats served as the control and received 2 ml/kg of normal saline while Group II rats were treated with chloroquine (20 mg/kg). Groups III, IV, V, VI and VII rats were treated with chloroquine (20 mg/kg) and either vitamin C (14.3 or 100 mg/kg) or vitamin E (9.3 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) or the combination of both. The drugs were administered orally for thirty five (35) days and at the end of the treatment, serum testosterone concentrations were determined. The results showed that chloroquine did not cause a significant change in serum testosterone concentration. In addition, the administration of the vitamins with chloroquine also did not cause any significant change in serum testosterone concentration when compared with the control. The results suggest that long-term administration of chloroquine could have no effect on testosterone concentration and the vitamins also could not cause any significant change in testosterone concentration in the presence of chloroquine.

Key words: Chloroquine, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, testosterone.