Volume 10, Issue 2
Tuber-Based Oral Rehydration Solution Enhanced the Activity of Alkaline Phosphatase and Repaired Damage in The Intestinal Compartments of Rats Induced with Diarrhoea
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Diarrhoea remains a disease of global health concern. Less is known about the functional effects of tuber-based oral rehydration therapy (ORS) in diarrhoea pathophysiology. This study was designed to investigate the effects of tuber-based ORS on intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity and serum albumin concentration in diarrhoeic animals. Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6). Group A received food and water only; Group B was induced with osmotic diarrhoea; Group C, D, E and F received standard World Health Organization (WHO)-ORS, Colocasia esculenta-ORS, Pachyrhizus erosus-ORS and Ipomoea batatas-ORS respectively, after diarrhoea induction. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed, and IAP activity was evaluated using spectrophotometry. Blood collected was assessed for serum albumin concentration. Sections of the small intestine were subjected to histopathological examination. Results: Darrhoeic animals that received tuber-based ORS had higher IAP activities, compared to animals treated with WHO-ORS (p<0.05). All animals induced with osmotic diarhoea had decreased levels of serum albumin (regardless of ORS treatment), which did not vary significantly compared to the control (p<0.05). Micrographs of small intestinal tissues revealed that untreated diarrhoeic animals had depleted Brunner's gland and cellular components, while animals administered with WHO-ORS and tuber-based ORS showed improved intestinal mucosa features, similar to the control. Conclusion: The results revealed that tuber-based ORS had a higher enhancing effect on IAP activity than WHO-ORS. Tuber-based ORS and WHO ORS also showed the potential to repair intestinal mucosa damage and restore normal serum albumin concentration in animals with diarrheoa..