ABSTRACT
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body. Its main role is to act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons—so-called “free radicals”—that can damage cells. Mercury (II) chloride is a compound that is highly toxic and the compound is also corrosive to the mucous membranes. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of Vitamin E on Mercury chloride induced neurotoxicity on the cerebellum of adult Wistar rats. Eighteen adult Wistar rats, were randomized into three (3) groups of six rats each. Group A served as the control and received only 1ml of distilled water daily to compensate for stress of administration, whereas, rats in group B received 4mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride, and group C received 500mg/kg body weight of Vitamin E 1 hour before 4mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride. All administration was via oral route using orogastric tube for a period of 4 weeks. The body weights of the rats were recorded daily. After the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the organ (cerebellum) weight was recorded. The parameters accessed include neuro-behavioural activities (rearing, ambulation, grooming and immobility) via open field test and histoarchitecture of the cerebellum using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS/IBM statistical package version 20 and the statistical method employed was ANOVA. Results obtained shows a significant decrease (P<0.05) in change in body weight of rats in group B when compared to control. A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in change in body weight of rats in group C when compared to group B. Results obtained shows no significant change (P >0.05) in the cerebellar weight of rats among treated groups when compared to control. In this study, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in rearing of animals in group B when compared to control, however, there was no significant change (P>0.05) in rearing of animals in group C when compared to control. A significant increase (P<0.05) was also observed in rearing of animals in group C when compared to group B. In this study, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in grooming of animals in group B when compared to control. However, there was no significant change (P>0.05) in grooming of animals in group C when compared to control. A significant decrease (P<0.05) was also observed in grooming of animals in group C when compared to group B. In this study, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in ambulation of animals in group B and C when compared to control. However, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in ambulation of animals in group C when compared to group B. In this study, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in immobility of animals in group B and C when compared to control. However, there was a significant decrease in immobility of animals in group C when compared to group B. Histomorphological findings showed normal architecture in group A, shrunken and degenerating purkinje cells, with nuclei appearing irregular, darkly stained and pyknotic in group B. Vacoulations were also evident in Molecular, Purkinje and granular cell layer the molecular layer of rats in group B, Fewer Purkinje cells appearing darkly stained and pyknotic in group C. From this study it is revealed that administration of vitamin E have a protective role against the toxic effects of mercury chloride. This study has shown that vitamin E improved the histological architecture of the cerebellum of Wistar rats treated with mercury chloride, thereby improving neuro-behavioural activities.
