The Paraquat (1, 1-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridlium dichloride) is a non-selective nitrogen herbicide that is used for broadleaf control of weed. It has been shown that paraquat is toxic to human and animal. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a lipid soluble antioxidant found in all cellular membranes. It helps in protecting the cell against lipid peroxidation. It has been documented that vitamin E has a protective effect against PQ-induced hematological toxicity in albino rats. This study was carried out to evaluate the haematological effect of Vitamin E therapy on the chronic toxicity of paraquat in Albino rats. . A total of 200 male albino rats were used for the study. The 200 rats were divided into four main groups (A, B, C, D) and each group had 50 rats and was further subgrouped into two, having 25rats per subgroup. “A” group was not induced with paraquat while “B”, ‘C” and “D” groups were induced in increasing dose of 0.02g, 0.04g and 0.06g respectively. “A” group had two subgroups; “Ao” and “Ave” which represented the sub-group not treated with Vit E and the subgroup treated with Vit E (500mg) respectively. This design also applied to group “B”, “C” and “D”. Paraquat induction frequency was done every forth night for three month followed by weekly treatment for three months. The result showed a significant decrease in PCV, Hb, and TWBC count for group in the Ao, Bo, Co and Do at p<0.05 but no significant difference in the neutrophil and lymphocyte count. It also showed a significant increase in the Hb, and PCV of subgroups Ave, Bve, Cve and Dve at p<0.05 but no significant difference in the TWBC count and differentials. This suggest that Vitamin E supplementation had an ameliorative effect on the PCV and Hb values but no effect on the TWBC count and differentials on paraquat toxicity.

Paraquat (1,1-dimethyl-4-4-bipiridinium dichloride (PQ) is a non-selective contact herbicide that is a major source of free radicals and generates superoxide anion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) which causes severe oxidative damage. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role using its biological characteristic as a suitable antioxidant in cells’ defense against oxygen deprivation and increasing tissue protection from oxidative stress. Vitamin E is a free-radical scavenger renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The purpose of the study was to determine the short-term therapeutic effect of a vitamin E and C combination treatment on paraquat-induced male albino rats. For the study, 200 male albino rats were used. The rats were divided into four major categories namely A, B, C, and D with 50 rats each. The "A" group received no paraquat, but the "B," "C," and "D" groups received 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g of paraquat respectively every two weeks for three months. These groups were subsequently subgrouped into two with 25 rats per subgroup. The "A" group was divided into two "A0" and "AVE"; “B” was subgrouped into “B0” and BVEC”; “C” was subgrouped into “C0” and “CVEC” and “D” was subgrouped into “D0” and “DVEC”. A0, B0, C0 and D0 were subgroups without Vit E and C combined treatment while AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC were subgroups with combined treatment with 500mg of vitamin E and 2000mg/l of C medicated water every week for two months. Blood was drawn for the analysis of hematogical parameters (Hemoglobin concentration [Hb], Packed Cell volume [PCV], Total White blood cell count [T-WBC], Neutrophils and Lymphocytes). There was a significant variation in the hematological parameters among the "A0", "B0", "C0", and "D0" at p-value<0.05. There was also significant variation in the hematological parameters between the "AVEC", "BVEC", "CVEC", and "DVEC", p-value < 0.05. Consequently, it was also observed that there were significant variations in intra-group comparisons of Hb and PCV, p-value<0.05, whereas other markers were not statistically different. This study found that combining vitamin E and C has a therapeutic effect on ‘blood anemia indicators’ but not the immunity of male albino rats after one month of weekly treatment. As a result, a weekly treatment with Vit E and C combination therapy can alleviate PQ toxicity by ameliorating anemia but not affecting the immune system of male albino rats.

Paraquat is a controversial herbicide that can increase reactive oxygen species levels by undergoing redox cycling and producing reactive oxygen species such superoxide anion. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that modulates oxidation processes in the body due to its particular antioxidant activity. It is a powerful chain-breaking antioxidant that limits the synthesis of reactive oxygen species molecules. The goal of the study was to see if vitamin E had a short-term therapeutic impact on paraquat-induced male albino rats. For the experiment, 200 male albino rats were employed. The 200 rats were separated into four primary groups (A, B, C, and D), each of which included 50 rats and was then subdivided into two subgroups, each with 25 rats. The "A" group was not induced paraquat, but the "B," "C," and "D" groups were induced 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g of paraquat, respectively. The "A" group was divided into two subgroups: "A0" and "AVE," which represented the subgroups that were not given Vit E and those who were given Vit E       (500 mg) respectively. This design was similar for groups "B," "C," and "D." The frequency of paraquat introduction was fortnightly for three months, then followed by vitamin E treatment weekly for two month. After the treatment with Vit E, the rats were sacrificed and blood was taken to analyze several hematological parameters (Hemoglobin concentration [Hb], Packed Cell volume [PCV], Total White blood cell count [T-WBC], Neutrophils and Lymphocytes). These hematological parameters differed significantly across the "Ao," "Bo," "Co," and "Do" groups, at p-value < 0.05. This was equally true for the "Ave," "Bve," "Cve," and "Dve," groups at p-value < 0.05. The findings also revealed that intra-group comparisons of Hb, PCV levels between B0 vs Bve, C0 vs Cve, and D0 vs Dve were significant different, p-value<0.05 whereas WBC, neutrophils and  lymphocytes were not p-value>0.05. This study has shown that PQ insult on anaemia indicators in rats can be corrected by a weekly administration of the vitamin.

Background/Objectives: Erythrocyte indices constitute important parameters useful in clinical care of children. Analysis of erythrocyte indices for children in IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps in Adamawa State like in most states in Nigeria was not fully studied. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the erythrocyte indices of children in Fufore IDP camp in Yola. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 297 children (137 females and 160 males) in the camp with age range of 12 to 61 months old and 201 apparently healthy school children as control group. 3ml of blood were collected from children and transferred into K3-EDTA vacutainer tubes. Full blood count was determined within four hours of blood collection using the Sysmex XP300 hematological analyzer. Results: Mean erythrocyte count of subjects and control was 3.1 ± 0.7 X109/l and 4.3 ± 0.7 X109/l respectively at P<0.05 and red cell distribution width (RDW) of subjects was 16.9% while that of control was 13.5%. Hemoglobin level of subject and control was 9.7 ± 1.1 g/dl and 12.4 ± 1.3 g/dl respectively. The mean Pack Cell Volume (PCV) of subjects was 32.7 ± 0.3% while the PCV of control group was 37.0 ± 0.2%. The Mean Cell Volume (MCV) of subject and control group was 74.8 ± 0.6 fl and 81 ± 0.5 fl respectively while Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) of the control and subject group was 26.9 ± 0.9 pg and 27 ± 0.4 pg respectively at P<0.05. Conclusion: Children in IDP camp had lower RBC count, PCV, MCV, Hemoglobin values and higher RDW value than the control group at P<0.05. Hence microcytic and iron deficiency anemia was observed among children in Fufore IDP camp in Yola.

Paraquat is a herbicide, commonly used in the agricultural practices to prevent weed infestation. The Environmental Protection Agency in some countries has placed a restriction on paraquat and there is no identified record of chelating agent or antidote for paraquat. Oxidation of paraquat results in the of superoxides formation. Superoxides generation causes cellular damage. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water soluble vitamin, with antioxidant potential. It is efficient in clearing free radicals, including hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals and superoxide anion. E is a fat soluble vitamin but considered to be relatively safe when compared to other fat-soluble vitamins Empirical evidence has shown therapeutic efficacy of vitamin E hence its common use in therapeutics. Our goal is to determine the potency of combined effect of vit. E + C on paraquat induced toxicity in male albino rats. As much as 200 rats were obtained and parted into four main groups of 50 rats each. The groups were A, B C and D. The “A” group was not induced with paraquat; groups “B”, “C”, and “D” was induced every two weeks with 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g of paraquat per kg of rat respectively for three months. Each of the main groups had subgroups. “A” group had “A0” and “AVEC” subgroups; “B” group had “B0” and “BVEC” subgroups; “C” group had “C0” and “CVEC” subgroups; “D” group had “D0” and “DVEC” subgroups. “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups were treated with paraquat only, while “AVEC”, “BVEC”, “CVEC” and “DVEC” were treated orally with 500mg of vitamin E and 2000mg/l of vitamin C medicated water every week. Comparison of intergroups A0, B0, C0 and D0 was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in Hb and PCV. There was no statistical difference with respect to T-WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocytes across the groups. AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC intergroup comparison was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in Hb and PCV, whereas in comparison with T-WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocytes were not statistically significant among the groups. The finding from this study has shown that a combination of vitamin E and C therapy is potent against paraquat toxicity in male albino rats on one month of weekly treatment and can be used to treat the condition on a weekly basis.