African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (10), pp. 1152-1155, October 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels in Trypanosoma brucei-infected  rabbits: Effect of orally administered Scoparia dulcis

N. E. J.  Orhue¹*, E. A. C. NWANZE¹ and A. OKAFOR²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.

²Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, P.O. Box 951361, Los Angeles, CA. 900095-1361.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: jerryorhue@yahoo.com.

Accepted 12 September, 2005

The effect of orally administered Scoparia dulcis on Trypanosoma brucei-induced changes in serum total protein, albumin and globulin were investigated in rabbits over a period of twenty eight days. Results obtained show that infection resulted in hyperproteinaemia, hyperglobulinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. However these lesions were less severe (p<0.05) in the infected and treated group relative to their untreated counterparts. We speculate that the herb may be involved in modulating the severity of these trypanosome associated lesions by some yet undefined mechanisms

Key words: Trypanosoma brucei, total protein, albumin, globulin, Scoparia dulcis.