Paraquat (PQ) Induced Morphometric and Gross Pathological Changes in Target Organs: Ameliorative Effect of Vitamin C in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Forty-eight male albino Wistar rats were randomized into four groups consisting of twelve in each. Group 1 served as control, while group 2 and 4 were administered with paraquat (40 mg/kg b.wt). Additionally, group 4 also received vitamin C (250 mg/kg b.wt). Group 3 was maintained as the vitamin C control (dose as above). The treatment regimens were administered by oral gavage once daily for a period of twenty-one days and the rats were sacrificed on 7th and 21st day of experiment. Group 2 showed significantly (P<0.05) increased absolute lungs weight on 21st day and significantly (P<0.05) decreased absolute liver weight on 7th day and non-significant decrease in absolute kidneys weight on 7th and 21st day of experiment. Grossly, group 2 revealed oedema, emphysema, diffused haemorrhages and congestion of lungs, shrunken and congested liver and congested kidneys. However, vitamin C supplementation had shown a remarkable protection against the parameters investigated.