MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID ON NEUROBEHAVIOURAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES INDUCED BY PROPOFOL ANAESTHESIA IN GOATS

MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID ON NEUROBEHAVIOURAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES INDUCED BY PROPOFOL ANAESTHESIA IN GOATS

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the modulatory effect of ascorbic acid on neurobehavioural and physiological changes, induced by propofol anaesthesia in goats. Twenty-four Red Sokoto goats divided into four groups were used for the experiment. Goats in group I (VC) received only ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg). Goats in group II (PFOL) received only propofol (5 mg/kg), while those in group III (VC200 + PFOL) and group IV (VC300 + PFOL) were administered with ascorbic acid at the dose rates of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively prior to propofol (5 mg/kg) induction. Pain response after the administration of ascorbic acid and propofol was evaluated in each goat by monitoring and scoring its behaviour. Onset and duration of anaesthesia in the goats were also recorded. Haematological parameters, taken before and after anaesthetic induction, were analyzed for leucocyte count, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte count and erythrocyte osmotic fragility. The serum obtained from each blood sample was analyzed for electrolytes (Cl-, Mg2+, Na+, K+, and HCO3-), the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Goats (57.1%) in group IV had a pain score of 0, and none of the goats scored 3. Pain score was highest in goats administered with propofol alone, and scores of 3 and 2 were recorded in 40% and 60% of the treated goats, respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in duration of anaesthesia in the VC300+PFol group (27.29 ± 4.11 min), when compared to the VC200+Pfol (15.29 ± 1.19 min) and PFol groups (10.6 ± 2.23 min). There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in onset of anaesthesia in the VC300+PFol group (2.0 ± 0.22 s) and VC200+Pfol (2.57 ± 0.29 s) when compared to the PFol groups (4.6 ± 0.68 viii s). There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in Mg2+ concentration in only the groups administered with VC but no significant change occured in other electrolytes and serum enzymes. The activity of GPx and SOD rose in the Pfol group (P < 0.05) from 30.4 ± 1.33 IU/L to 36.8 ± 0.97 IU/L and 1.3 ± 0.08 IU/L to 1.7 ± 0.06 IU/L respectively indicating that propofol may be a potent antioxidant. In conclusion, the administration of ascorbic acid prior to propofol anaesthesia ameliorated pain caused by propofol and prior administration of ascorbic acid decreased the onset and increased the duration of propofol anaesthesia in goats.

MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID ON NEUROBEHAVIOURAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES INDUCED BY PROPOFOL ANAESTHESIA IN GOATS