Project Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of thiamine, pyridoxine and biotin on the concentrations of blood glucose, serum electrolytes and renal functions of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A total of twenty seven (27) adult male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing between 160-200 g were used for the study. Twenty four (24) of the animals were rendered diabetic by a single and freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate dissolved in 0.9% ice cold normal saline solution and injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Forty eight (48) hours after confirmation of experimental diabetes, the rats were randomly divided into nine (9) experimental groups of three (3) rats each. Group 1 served as the normal control while Group 2 served as the diabetic control (diabetic untreated). In group 3 (standard control), metformin was used as a reference standard drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Group 4 (diabetic rats treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of thiamine), Group 5 (diabetic rats treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of pyridoxine), Group 6 (diabetic rats treated with 0.5 mg/kg body weight of biotin). Group 7 (diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of metformin and 25 mg/kg of thiamine), Group 8 (diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of metformin and 25 mg/kg of pyridoxine) and Group 9 (diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of metformin and 0.5 mg/kg of biotin). Blood glucose concentrations, serum electrolytes and renal function parameters were analysed. The results obtained showed that oral administration of thiamine, pyridoxine and biotin, after the seventh day of treatment significantly (p < 0.05) lowered blood glucose concentrations when compared to the values obtained for Group 2 (untreated) rats. Co-administration of thiamine and biotin with the metformin however, was observed to be more efficacious as they significantly lowered blood glucose concentration when compared to the values obtained for groups 2, 4 and 6. Sodium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in groups 4 rand 9 were observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the value obtained for the untreated group, while potassium ion concentration in these groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value obtained for group 2. Groups 5 and 8 registered significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of sodium and chloride ions and non-significantly (p > 0.05) lower concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate ions when compared to the values obtained for the untreated group 2 animals. Sodium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in groups 6 and 9 rats were observed to be significantly lower than the values obtained for the untreated group. However, the decrease in potassium concentration of group 6 was non-significantly (p > 0.05) lower than the values obtained for group 2. Urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations of all the groups treated with thiamine, pyridoxine and biotin, and those which received co-administration of the vitamins and metformin were observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the values obtained for the diabetic untreated group 2 rats. Uric acid concentrations of groups 5 and 6 were observed to be non-significantly (p > 0.05) lower than the value obtained for group 2. The result also indicated significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of creatinine in all the treated groups when compared to the values obtained for the untreated group 2 animals. Conclusively, this study showed that thiamine, and biotin decreased blood glucose concentration, and to a large extent, improves electrolyte imbalance and renal functions of diabetic animals. The roles of pyridoxine, thiamine and biotin in this study prove their usefulness in blood glucose control; hence these vitamins can be used as adjuvant with standard anti-diabetic drugs for improving glycaemic control, electrolyte imbalance and renal functions of diabetics.

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