This study was carried out to determine the effect of vitamin B12 on the renal functions of male Wister albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 groups of for rats each namely; control, Trypanosome infected, diamenazene treated, 40mcg vitaminB12, 60mcg vitamin B12, 80mcg vitamin B12. The renal indicators such as urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride were determined in all the albino rats using urease Berthelot for urea, modified Jaffe’s for creatinine while ion selective electrode analyzer was used for  sodium, potassium and chloride. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. The result showed that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean value of serum urea (mmol/l), creatinine (mg/dl), sodium (mmol/l), potassium (mmol/l) and chloride (mmol/l) in trypanosome infected group (29.00±0.6, 4.00±0.35, 154.52±2.67, 20.74±13.59 and 129.23±0.23) respectively when compared to control (13.55±0.47, 1.25±0.65. 133.40±1.42, 2.15±0.02 and 101.18±1.43) respectively. The diamenazene treated showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean value urea (mmol/l), sodium (mmol/l), potassium (mmo/l), chloride (mmol/l) and significant decrease in creatinine (md/dl) (19.28±0.23, 138.30±1.50, 4.04±0.11, 1.0292±0.93 and 1.00±0.13) respectively when compared to control (13.55±0.47,133.40±1.42, 2.15±0.02, 101.18±1.43 and 1.25±0.65) respectively. The vitamin B12 treated group showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean value of serum urea (mmol/l), creatinine (mg/dl), sodium (mmol/l), potassium (mmol/l) and chloride (mmol/l) in all doses; 40mcg (22.28±0.72, 2.03±0.34, 149.60±1.38, 6.27±0.39 and 116.48±4.74), 60mcg (21.45±0.83, 2.10±0.14, 153.40±2.58, 5.77±0.26 and 119.28±7.80) and 80mcg (21.28±0.38, 2.50±0.27, 152.40±0.99, 6.22±0.39 and 111.95±2.94) respectively when compared to the control group (13.55±0.47, 1.25±0.65, 133.40±1.42,  2.15±0.02 and 101.18±1.43) respectively. The result of the study suggested that oral administration of vitamins B12 and E reduced the changes in renal dysfunction associated with Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in Wistar albino rats.

Keywords: Vitamin B12, Renal function, Trypanosome.

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Dr Adebayo O.Adegoke

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria