HEPATOTOXIC EVALUATION OF WATER AND SALT FROM OKPOSI AND UBURU SALT LAKES, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Emmanuel Iroha Akubugwo
  • Kingsley Nwanu Agbafor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v29i66.22752

Keywords:

Okposi lake, Uburu lake, Hepatotoxicity, Water processing

Abstract

Evaluation of possible health implications of chronic consumption of salt and water from Okposi and Uburu salt lakes was carried out using adult male albino rats. The rats were placed in groups and orally administered I ml/kg of the raw lake water, semi-processed water or solution of 10% (W/V) of processed salt from the lakes for seven consecutive days. Physical activity, body mass changes, total serum protein, and transaminase activities were monitored and compared with those of control animals given equivalent volume of distilled water. Results showed that the raw (un-processed) lake water samples from both Okposi and Uburu salt lakes caused the greatest observed reduction in physical activities but elicited the highest serum transaminase activities, while the processed salt solution elicited the lower effects, when compared to control. The raw lake waters also caused the greatest reduction in the total serum protein levels (p<0.05) relative to the control. However, while the transaminase activities followed the order: raw lake water > semi-processed > processed salt solution, the order in the obtained reduction of weight and total serum protein is; raw lake water > processed salt solution > semi-processed lake water. These results suggest that the raw lake water is toxic and caused the greatest liver damage. Yet, the processing seems to improve the safety of the salt lake water. Processing methods aimed at reducing the possible adverse health effects should be employed.

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Published

2007-11-24

How to Cite

Akubugwo, E. I., & Agbafor, K. N. (2007). HEPATOTOXIC EVALUATION OF WATER AND SALT FROM OKPOSI AND UBURU SALT LAKES, NIGERIA. Revista Estudos De Biologia, 29(66). https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v29i66.22752

Issue

Section

Fluxo Contínuo