European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Okey, Samuel Maduabuchi; Ayo, Joseph Olusegun

Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of co-administration of ascorbic acid and zinc gluconate, which are antioxidant nutrients on brain biochemical changes in wistar rats, exposed to the hot-humid season. Fourteen adult male Wistar rats weighing 110 g - 186 g, were divided into two groups of seven rats each. The first group, which served as the control was given distilled water (1 ml/kg); rats in the second group served as the experimental animals and were first given ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) and immediately followed by the administration of zinc (50 mg/kg). The regimens were given once daily and orally by gavage for a period of 28 days. The dry and wet-bulb temperature values were taken; and from the values, relative humidity and heat index was calculated. The rats were sacrificed on day 29 of the administration and evaluated for brain catalase, superoxide dismutase and acetylcholinesterase activities. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the malondialdehyde concentration in the brain. The heat index was significantly (P < 0.05) different, when compared with values obtained between the hours of 7.00 h, 13.00 h and 18.00 h, indicative of the exposure of the rats to heat stress. There was no significant difference in the malondialdehyde concentration (P > 0.05) of both groups. There were no significant differences in activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and acetylcholinesterase in the brain showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the groups. In conclusion, the moderate heat stress during the hot-humid season induced brain biochemical changes in Wistar rats, which may be attenuated by co-administration of ascorbic acid and zinc gluconate.