E3 Journal of Medical Research

E3 Journal of Medical Research Vol. 2 (1) pp. 0117-0122, April 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9900

Anti-atherogenic potentials of vitamin C or E administration against ingested Nigerian Bonny Light Crude Oil (NBLCO) in male Wistar rats

Ita S.O¹^*, Olubobokun, T.H¹, Benson E A¹, Antai AB², Osim EE²
¹Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Universities of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
²Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Universities of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State.
^*Corresponding Author E-mail: uloro2003@yahoo.com
Accepted 22 February 2013

Abstract

Evaluations of anti-atherogenic potentials of vitamin C or E administration against the hazardous effects of ingested Nigerian Bonny Light Crude Oil (NBLCO) in rats were made. Forty adult male Wistar rats (120g â€“ 165g body weight) were randomly divided into four groups of 10 rats each. Group I was control and oral gavaged 6ml/kg normal saline. Group II oral gavaged 6ml/kg body weight NBLCO. Groups III and IV were in addition to 6ml/kg NBLCO supplemented with 1mg/kg and 9mg/kg of vitamins C and E respectively. The results showed that NBLCO significantly (p<0.001) increased total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) compared with control, while it significantly (p<0.001) reduced triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C). Vitamin supplementations significantly (p<0.001) lower TC, TG, LDL-C, as well as VLDL-C at p<0.05 than NBLCO group. In contrast, NBLCO significantly (p<0.001) reduced HDL-C level compared with the control, while vitamins supplementation recorded significantly (p<0.001) higher values than NBLCO group. The atherogenic index (AI) ratio was significantly (p<0.001) higher in NBLCO-treated rats than control, this was significantly (p<0.001) reversed by vitamin C or E supplementation. A significantly (p<0.001) higher platelet, neutrophil, eosinophil and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (N/L) were also recorded compared with control. Vitamins supplementation did not significantly change their values when compared with NBLCO-treated rats. While the monocyte level was significantly (p<0.001) raised in the NBLCO, neither of the vitamins cause any significant change compared with NBLCO group. The fact that NBLCO significantly increases TC, LDL-C and the atherogenic index coupled with significantly high level of circulating platelets, neutrophils, monocytes and high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in rats in this study underscores the inherent danger associated with NBLCO ingestion. Interestingly, such harmful effects can be ameliorated with adequate antioxidant vitamin C or E supplementation.

Keywords: Crude oil; anti-atherogenic potentials; antioxidant vitamins; platelets; neutrophil.

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