ABSTRACT
Aims: To investigate the effect of fansidar® and vitamin C co-administration on serum electrolyte and body weight indices of Wistar albino rats. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku Campus, between August 2013 and June 2014. Methodology: Sixty (60) Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups I, II, III (n=20; 10 male, 10 female) weighing between 180-200 g. Group I was designated as the control and received distilled water, groups II and III were treated with 14.29 mg/kg body weight of fansidar® and 14.29 mg/kg body weight each of fansidar® + vitamin C respectively for 14 days. The animals were then sacrificed and blood collected for serum electrolyte analysis. Results: The results obtained showed that the serum [Na+] was significantly (P<0.05) increased in group II females only compared with control. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the serum [K+] of groups II and III males and group III females compared with control. There was also a significant (P<0.05) elevation of [CO2] in group II rats (irrespective of sex) compared with the control. The [Cl-] of only the males in groups II and III was significantly (P<0.05) reduced compared with the control. The results of body weight indices investigated showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean weight increase (MWI) and growth rate (GR) of all the test groups compared with the control, however, group III compared with group II was significantly (P<0.05) increased. Conclusion: The alterations in serum electrolyte on fansidar® administration were pronounced in males than females except in the sodium electrolyte levels. The co-administration of vitamin C may reverse the adverse alterations in serum electrolyte and body weight changes caused by fansidar® administration.