September 2016 Vol. 4 No.9

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Original Research Article

Renal Protective Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins C and E against Crude Oil-Induced Nephrotoxicity

^*1Ita S. O. and ²Edagha I. A.

¹Departments of Physiology Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria
²Departments of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: uloro2003@yahoo.com
Tel.: +2348033890830

Accepted September 05, 2016

Abstract

The assessment of serum indices for renal function in male Wistar rats co-administered crude oil and antioxidant vitamins. A total of twenty (20) adult male Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (group I, II, III and IV). Group I served as the control and was oral gavaged 3 ml/kg body weight of normal saline. Group II was oral gavaged 3 ml/kg body weight of Nigerian Bonnylight crude oil (NBLCO). This dose was calculated as 20% of the lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 14.14 ml/kg, while groups III and IV in addition to 3 ml/kg body weight of NBLCO, were supplemented with 1 ml/kg body weight of vitamins C and E respectively. The results showed that NBLCO ingestion significantly increased concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate in serum with respect to the control group (p<0.05). Vitamin C or E supplementation on the other hand did not alter concentration of sodium, calcium and bicarbonate significantly with respect to control but were significantly lower than NBLCO-treated group (p<0.05). Similarly, vitamin C or E supplementation significantly reduced potassium concentration compared with NBLCO group (p<0.05), these vitamins did not alter chloride concentration significantly. The NBLCO administration significantly increased serum urea with respect to the control (p<0.05). Vitamin C or E supplementation was not significantly different from control group but was significantly lower than NBLCO treated group (p<0.05). The mean creatinine level in NBLCO group was significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). While vitamin C supplementation did not alter creatinine level significantly with respect to the control group, it significantly lowered creatinine level compared with NBLCO treated group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation significantly elevated creatinine level compared with control and vitamin C supplemented groups (p<0.05), while it significantly reduced creatinine level with respect to NBLCO treated group (p<0.05). The histological sections of the kidney tissues showed NBLCO ingestion caused prominent damages to the cyto-architecture of the kidney.It is evidenced in this study that NBLCO have shown to cause significant impairment of kidney functions. This may results in derangement in normal homeostatic processes, and may ultimately affect the general health and survival of mankind. Interestingly, some of the dangerous effects of NBLCO can be ameliorated with adequate antioxidants supplementation.

Keywords: Antioxidants, Creatinine, Crude oil, Electrolytes, Kidney, Urea