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ABSTRACT
Vitamin E one of the fat soluble vitamins discovered by Evans and Bishop in 1922 has been known for its anti-oxidative effects from onset and the neuroprotective function. It can be found mainly in plants based on oils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of vitamin E on mercury chloride induced toxicity in the cerebrum of adults Wistar rats. Eighteen adult’s Wistar rats were randomized into three (3) groups consisting of six (6) rats each. Group A served as the control group and received 1ml of distilled water daily to compensate for stress of administration, group B received 4mg/kg body weight mercury chloride, and Group C received 4mg/kg mercury chloride one hour later + 500mg/kg vitamin E. All administration was done via oral route using the orogastric tube for the period of two weeks, the body weight of rats were recorded daily. At the end of the experimental phase, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the brain weights were recorded. The histoarchitectural components of the cerebral cortex were assessed using Heamatoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS/IBM statistical package 20 and ANOVA was employed as the statistical method. Significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in the change in body weights of rats in group B when compared to control group. While a significant increase (P>0.05) was observed in relative brain weights among the treated group when compared to control and group B. No significant change (P<0.05) was observed in cerebral weights among treated groups when compared to control group. A significant decrease (P>0.05) in the cognitive function was observed in group B as compared to the control group. A significant increase (P>0.05) in the cognitive function was observed in group C as compared to group B. A significant increase (P>0.05) in the cognitive function was also observed in group C as compared to control group. Several dark shrunken neuronal cell bodies with deeply stained pyknotic nuclei deeper layers (5-6) of the prefrontal cortex were noticed in group B as compared to control group. Group C Very few dark shrunken neuronal cell bodies were observed as compared with control
