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 Wistarstrain weighing between 160-200g 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 whileGroup 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 25mg/kg body weight of thiamine), Group 5 (diabetic rats treated with 25mg/kg body weight of pyridoxine), Group 6 (diabetic rats treated with 0.5mg/kg body weight of biotin). Group 7 (diabetic rats treated with 100mg/kgof metformin and 25mg/kgof 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 0.5mg/kg of biotin). Blood glucose concentrations, serum electrolytes and renal function parameters were analysed. The results obtained showed that oral administration ofthiamine, 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 obtainedfor groups 2, 4 and 6. Sodium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in groups 4 and 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 forgroup 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 forgroup 2.Urea andblood 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 forthe diabetic untreated group 2 rats. Uric acid concentrations of groups 5 and 6 were observed to be non-significantly(p>0.05) lowerthan 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 provetheir 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.