THE EFFECTS OF GOSSYPOL AND CHLOROQUINE INTERACTION ON SERUM ELECTROLYTES OF PROTEIN-MALNOURISHED RATS

Serum sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (CI), phosphate (Po), and c alcium (Ca) were assayed in adult male Wistar rats fed a low protein d iet (LP) and a normal protein diet (control, NP) and administered goss ypol (GP) and chloroquine (CQ) alone and in combination (GPCQ), for 4 and 8 weeks. Gossypol was administered at 20 mg/kg body wt/rat/day in Goya oil and chloroquine at 5 mg/kg body wt/rat for 3 days/week in dis tilled water. The data, analyzed by two-way ANOVA, showed that the int eraction had significant effects on the serum levels of Na, K, and Po (P<0.001) but not on chloride and calcium (P>0.05). Serum levels of so dium, potassium and phosphate in LP rats were significantly lower than in NP rats. In LP and NP rats, the levels of Na, K, and Po at 8 weeks were significantly higher than at 4 weeks; and GPCQ treatment produce d significantly lower sodium levels in LP and NP rats, lower phosphate in LP rats and higher phosphate in NP-fed rats than GP or CQ administ ered alone. Potassium level in GPCQ was between levels in Gp- and CQ-t reated rats. The administration of gossypol and chloroquine together m ay not adversely affect serum electrolytes in protein-malnutrition sta te any more than gossypol or chloroquine administered alone.