Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Changes in Hepato-Renal Tissues Biomarkers of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Co-Administered Monosodium Glutamate and Ascorbic Acid

Paul C. Chikezie, Blessing Chinonso Ezeocha and Promise Nwankpa

The present study investigated the capacity of combined administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and ascorbic acid to reverse altered hepatorenal functions in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) Wistar rats. Single intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of 90 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of alloxan monohydrate in phosphate buffered saline (pH=7.4) was used to induce DM in the rats. Standard spectrophotometric methods were used to measure hepatorenal biomarkers; namely, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as serum total bilirubin, urea and creatinine concentrations. Serum ratios of ALT to AST activities of the experimental rat groups were greater than 1 unit and within the range of 1.26 - 2.69 units. Serum ALP activities of the experimental rat groups were within the range of 84.08 ± 12.73 - 393.33 ± 35.67 IU/L. Pattern of lowered serum bilirubin concentrations in treated DM rat groups were in a dose dependent manner. Serum urea concentrations of DM rats co-administered MSG and ascorbic acid greater than 200 mg/kg b.w. were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of other experimental rat groups. The present study showed that co-administration of MSG and ascorbic acid at doses greater than 200 mg/kg b.w. ameliorated hepatorenal dysfunction. However, indications showed that the DM rats did not obtained full therapeutic benefits.