RESUMO
Exposure to arsenic through drinking water, food and occupational sources are common throughout the world. Women are more susceptible than men to the adverse effects of arsenic, as it interacts with estrogen hormones. This study was designed to evaluate the role of vitamin C and E in mitigating the toxic effects of sodium arsenate on maternal weight gain. Thirty two Albino mice of BALB/c strain [twenty four females and eight males], 10 weeks old, weighing 30 - 35 gm were used; animals were divided into four groups having six female mice in each. Group A[1] served as control and was given a single I/P dose of weight related distilled water on 8[th] day of gestation. Groups A[2], A[3] and A[4] animals received sodium arsenate [35 mg/kg] on 8[th] gestational day and vitamin C and E were given by I/P injection,[9 mg/kg/day and 15 mg/kg/day] respectively, from 8[th] day for rest of pregnancy period. The body weight of dams was recorded every day after the confirmation of pregnancy, till the time of sacrifice. The actual weight of dams was calculated as the difference between dam's total weight and that of total fetal weight. There was normal weight gain in dams of group A[1], whereas in group A[2] the maternal weight gain was reduced and the difference was statistically significant as compared to groups A[1], A[3] and A[4]. It was therefore, concluded from the current results that vitamin C and E are useful in protecting sodium arsenate induced reduction of weight gain
RESUMO
Arsenic is a teratogenic agent present in the environment as oxides and arsenate and humans are exposed to it through contaminated drinking water, food, soil and air. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate protective role of Vitamin C and E against teratogenic injury produced by sodium arsenate in developing kidney of the mouse. Twenty-four pregnant albino mice of BALB/c strain, were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 each: A[1], A[2], A[3] and A[4]. Group A[1] served as the control and received weight related distilled water by intra-peritoneal [I/P] injection, group A[2] was given a single doses of 35 mg/kg on 8th GD whereas groups A[3] and A[4] were treated with Vitamin C and E by IP injection, 9 mg/kg/day and 15 mg/kg/day respectively, starting from 8th day and continued for the rest of the pregnancy period. The foetal kidneys were weighed and histological studies carried out including micrometry on different components of nephron. Sodium arsenate toxicity manifested as an increase in weight of the kidneys, wider nephrogenic zone and significant reduction in the mean of number of mature renal corpuscles as compared to the control group [p<0.000]. There were moderate to severe necrotic and degenerative changes in proximal and distal convoluted tubules; glomeruli were hypercellular, the Bowman's spaces were obliterated. There was a statistically significant difference in mean diameter of renal corpuscles of group A[2] when compared with groups A[1], A[3] and A[4], [p<0.000]. The findings implied that groups receiving Vitamin C and E along with sodium arsenate showed an overall improvement in all parameters, indicating the protective role of Vitamin C and E against arsenic induced teratogenicity in developing kidney and are safe to use during pregnancy without deleterious effect on human conspectuses in arsenic exposed areas