Depletion in Serum Levels of Folic Acid, Antioxidant Vitamins and Trace Elements in Female Wistar Rats Treated with Sub-toxic Dose of Acetaminophen/Methionine Combination – A Chronic Study

Context: Studies have identified that concurrent administration of methionine and acetaminophen (paracetamol) prevents tissue damage and both methionine and acetaminophen at high doses can induce oxidative stress. Antioxidants mediate against oxidative stress. Moreover, folic acid depletion has been identified to cause neural tube defects in neonates of affected female subjects.
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of chronic exposure to sub-toxic dose of acetaminophen/methionine (ratio 5:1) on female Wistar rats, with emphasis on folic acid and antioxidant vitamins and minerals.
Material and Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups with each group consisting of 8 rats and treated with acetaminophen/methionine, acetaminophen or saline daily by gastric gavage. The study lasted 30 days after which blood was obtained through retro-orbital bleeding.
Results: Results show that Wistar rats administered with 350 mg/kg BW (sub-toxic dose) of acetaminophen exhibited significant alteration (p<0.05) in levels of all trace elements (except Se) as well as vitamins (except vitamin A). Significant alterations in the levels of all vitamins (except riboflavin) and all minerals (except Cu, Mn, Se) (p<0.05) were also recorded in serum of rats administered with acetaminophen/methionine combination.
Discussion and Conclusion: Results of this study therefore suggest that chronic abuse of subtoxic dose of acetaminophen/methionine combination may induce alterations in levels of vital molecules, a situation which may increase an individual’s risk to oxidative stress-induced diseases and her neonate to neural tube defects.