Effects of Maalox Plus®Antacid and Purecal® Calcium Supplements on Liver and Kidney Function Following Heavy Alcohol Intake in Rats
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Date
2017-10
Authors
Omondi, Onyango Tonny
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Habitual intake of alcohol is associated with various health complications including depletion of the body’s stores of magnesium and calcium. In chronic alcoholism, treatment with Mg and Ca has been shown to normalize elevated enzyme activities and some clinically relevant parameters. Currently there is no information on the effects of mineral supplements on adverse effects associated with acute alcohol intoxication. This study therefore examined the effects of Maalox plus® antacid and PureCal® calcium which are rich in Mg and Ca, respectively, on the haematological and biochemical profiles of rats exposed to acute alcohol intoxication. The experimental design included alcohol being administered orally at 5 g/kg for five days and supplements for two days of the week for 28 days. Haematological and biochemical profiles were determined using automated analyzers. Statistical comparison was done using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. Alcohol caused neutrophilia, eosinophilia and basopenia (p < 0.05). Maalox plus® and PureCal® were ineffective against neutrophilia but effective in normalizing eosinophilia. Basopenia was normalized by 4.25 mg/kg Mg and Ca at 4.25 mg/kg and 8.5 mg/kg. Macrocytic anaemia was another alcohol disorder that was reversed by Maalox plus® and PureCal® except in animals given 8.5 mg/kg Mg and those co-treated with Ca and Mg. The alcohol induced thrombocytopenia (p < 0.05) was unaffected by the drugs. Alcohol did not significantly affect liver enzymes, lipids, creatinine and BUN levels (p > 0.05). However, the drugs lowered blood urea nitrogen levels in animals given 8.5 mg/kg Mg, 4.25 mg/kg Ca and those co-treated with Ca and Mg (p < 0.05). Alcohol did not influence serum levels of Mg2+ (p > 0.05) but significantly increased Ca2+ and lowered K+ (p<0.05). Maalox plus® and PureCal® normalized the hypercalcemia in a dose-dependent manner. Alcohol induced hypokalemia was normalized by 4.25 mg/kg Mg and 17mg mg/kg Ca. Hypomagnesemia in bone was also reversed by both Maalox plus® and Purecal®. Liver histology showed that alcohol caused cellular infiltration and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Cellular infiltration and widening of tubules was observed in the kidney. Visible improvement of the liver histology architecture was discernible in rats co-treated with Ca and Mg at a ratio of 1:1 as well as 2:1. These results showed that alcohol altered tissue architecture and the renal cation exchange mechanism as shown by the variation in serum Ca2⁺ and K⁺ levels. Maalox plus® and PureCal® alleviated the alcohol induced eosinophilia, basopenia, macrocytic anaemia, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, bone hypomagnesemia, liver and kidney pathology. These findings suggest that the drugs are useful agents that could have applications in the management of adverse effects associated with acute alcohol intoxication.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Medical Biochemistry) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University