EVALUATION OF QUAIL EGG (Coturnix japonica Temminick and Schlegel) YOLK ON 2-BUTOXYETHANOL–INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS AND HEAMATOXICITY IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

2-butoxyethanol is a widely used solvent in the industry in the finishing of consumer products, it has been implicated in liver hemangiosarcoma, anemia and thrombosis. There are several claims that quail egg is functional in the inhibition of endogenous oxidation, apoptosis and inflammation. This study was aimed to determine the protective effects of quail egg against liver and kidney functions as well as haematological indices impaired with 2-butoxyethanol. The quail egg was obtained and the yolk was carefully separated from other components of the egg. The yolk was subjected to laboratory techniques to isolate the water soluble (QYWS) and fat soluble (QYFS) constituents. Male Wistar rats (n=25) were obtained and grouped into a negative control group (Group 1) and experimental groups (assaulted groups) comprising groups 2-3 which had 250 mg/kg/day of 2-butoxyethanol for 4 days. QYWS, QYFS and hydroxyl urea were administered to groups 2,3 and 4 respectively for eight (8) weeks. Necropsy and handling of tissues were followed by assays to evaluate the liver (ALP, AST, ALT and GGT) and kidney functions (urine protein, BUN and CREAT), the effects on the heamatological parameters were typified by the evaluation of the levels of PCV, ESR, WBC, HB, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil. 2-butoxyethanol demonstrated deleterious effects against the liver function by increasing the activities of the enzymes implicated in the evaluation of liver function, while the amount of urine protein was significantly higher as a result of the 2-butoxyethanol assault, the rate of creatinine clearance diminished as a result of 2-butoxyethanol, with a damaging retention of urea nitrogen in the blood. All these hematological parameters were reduced by the 2-BE treatment significantly. The quail egg demonstrated significant protective effects against the deleterious effects on the liver, kidney and blood by reversing the biochemical indices implicated in the functions of these organs. Critical to this mode of action are the points of iron overload resulting from hemolysis induction by 2-butoxyacetic acid, a metabolite from 2-butoxyethanol and the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation impairing the functions and histology of the kidney and liver. The oxidative effects of 2-butoxyethanol is hinged majorly on the depletion of vitamins which the quail egg yolk was able to replenish to sustain the free radical and antioxidant balance in the system. Quail egg mitigated hemolysis and reduced the rate of iron deposition, it also chelated the free iron present, inhibiting the impending Fenton reaction. Thus sustaining the functions of the liver and kidney. Therefore, the ameliorating effect of the quail egg is due to the presence of various vitamins that was taken to restore the ones depleted in the body by exposure to chemicals, stress condition that could lead to oxidative stress and inflammation