African Journal of
Cellular Pathology

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR CELLULAR PATHOLOGY SCIENTISTS OF NIGERIA
  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Cell. Path
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2449-0776
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJCPath
  • Start Year: 2013
  • Published Articles: 107

Effect of ascorbic acid on mercuric chloride-induced changes on the cerebral cortex of wistar rats

Ibegbu AO
  • Ibegbu AO
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Animoku AA
  • Animoku AA
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Ayuba M
  • Ayuba M
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Brosu D
  • Brosu D
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Adamu SA
  • Adamu SA
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Akpulu P
  • Akpulu P
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Hamman WO
  • Hamman WO
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Umana UE
  • Umana UE
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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Musa SA
  • Musa SA
  • Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 01 October 2013
  •  Accepted: 01 November 2013
  •  Published: 30 November 2013

Abstract

Aim: The present work was aimed at evaluating the effect of ascorbic acid on mercuric chloride induced changes on the cerebrum of Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats of average weight of 200g were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. In addition to normal diet, the animals in Group 1 were given distilled water, Groups 2 and 3 were administered 52mg/kg and 26.25mg/kg of mercuric chloride (HgCl) respectively while Groups 4 and 5 were administered 52mg/kg of HgCl and 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid and 26.25gm/kg of HgCl and 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid respectively. Group 6 was administered 5mg/kg of ascorbic acid through oral route, daily for 3 weeks.

Results: Oxidative stress assay showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the mean levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase in Groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with the Control while lipid peroxidase showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in Groups 2 and 3. Histological observation of the cerebrum showed a normal architecture in Groups 1 and 6 while, Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed degenerative changes, necrosis and clumping of cells.

Conclusion: Ascorbic acid administration has been shown to ameliorate induced degenerative changes in the cerebrum caused by mercuric chloride toxicity in Wistar rats.

 

Keywords: Mercuric chloride, Cerebral cortex, Ascorbic acid, Oxidative stress.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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