Effects of Nigerian Bonny light Crude Oil on Some Immunological Parameters: The Role of Antioxidant Vitamins C and E and Honey in Male Wistar Rats

 

Ita, S. O., Dum-awara, B.L., Udofia, U., and Ojobo, E. E.

 

Research Paper I Published August,2015

 

Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research Vol. 1 (6), pp. 71-77

 

ABSTRACT

The effect of Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (NBLCO) on some immunological parameters: the role of some antioxidants supplementation was the focus of this study. 48 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 8 per group. Group I (control) oral gavaged 3 ml/kg of normal saline; group II received 3 ml/kg of NBLCO, groups III, IV and V received in addition to 3 ml/kg of NBLCO 1 ml/kg vitamin C, vitamin E and 3 ml/kg of honey, respectively; group VI received 3 ml/kg of honey. After 28 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture. Results showed that NBLCO did not alter WBC, eosinophil and monocyte count significantly but significantly increased neutrophil, neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio, globulin, IgG and IgM (p<0.05); while it significantly reduced lymphocyte compared to the control group (p<0.05). Vitamins C and E supplementation significantly increased WBC count (p<0.05) but did not alter neutrophil level significantly compared to group II. Interestingly, vitamins supplementation significantly increased lymphocyte level (p<0.05) while significantly reducing neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio, IgG and IgM levels compared to group II (p<0.05). Honey supplementation significantly increased WBC, neutrophil and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio while it significantly reduced lymphocyte, IgG and IgM compared to group II (p<0.05). Vitamin C supplementation did not alter globulin level while vitamin E and honey significantly reduced globulin level (p<0.05). It is concluded that ingestion of NBLCO substantially interfere with functions of the immune system with high risks of inflammatory response, and supplementation with antioxidants could ameliorate the aforementioned effects.

Key words: Antioxidants, Crude Oil, Honey, Immunoglobulins, Rats and White Blood Cells.

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