Abstract
The present study evaluated the toxic effects of exposure of cement kiln dust, an environmental toxicant on erythrocyte fragility, lipid peroxidation and the ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid and Hibiscus sabdariffa in wistar rats. Thirty six adult male wistar rats divided into six groups of six rats each were used for the study. Rats in group I, II, III and V were administered distilled water (2 ml), ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg), cement kiln dust (250 mg/kg) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (100 mg/kg) respectively. Rats in group IV and VI were treated with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (100 mg/kg) respectively 30 minutes before administration of cement kiln dust (250 mg/kg). The treatments were administered by gavage once daily for 90 days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the treatment period and blood samples collected were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malondialdehyde concentrations using standard methods. The study recorded a higher (p < 0.05) significant malondialdehyde concentration with values of 3.3 ± 0.1 µmol/l in group III (cement kiln dust treated group), while the lowest significant (p < 0.05) was obtained in group II (ascorbic acid group) with values of 0.6 ± 0.1 µmol/l. However the groups administered ascorbic acid and Hibiscus sabdariffa prior to cement kiln dust had significant (p < 0.05) lower levels when compared with group III (cement kiln dust treated group). There was significant (p < 0.05) increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility in the cement kiln dust treated group, which decreased in the groups co-administered cement kiln dust and ascorbic acid or Hibiscus sabdariffa. The study concluded that prolonged exposure to cement kiln dust caused an increase in malondialdehyde concentration and high erythrocyte osmotic fragility, thus increased hemolysis probably due to increased lipid peroxidation, and administration of ascorbic acid and Hibiscus sabdariffa ameliorated these alterations.
Highlights
The cement industry is the building block of a nation's construction industry and life without cement in the 21st century is inconceivable, as few construction projects can take place without utilizing cement somewhere in the design [1]
The percentage hemolysis of cement kiln dust treated group alone at these sodium chloride concentrations decreased upon coadministration of cement kiln dust with vitamin C or Hibiscus sabdariffa (Figure 1)
The serum malondialdehyde concentration in the group treated with cement kiln dust alone (3.3 ± 0.1 μmol/l) was significantly (p 0.01) higher when compared to the groups treated with distilled water and the other treatment groups
Summary
The cement industry is the building block of a nation's construction industry and life without cement in the 21st century is inconceivable, as few construction projects can take place without utilizing cement somewhere in the design [1]. The continuous exposure via inhalation or ingestion makes even the smallest concentration of such toxic elements a concern to the health of animals, humans and the environment. The heavy metals generate free radicals, which in turn may induce hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and degenerative diseases in humans and animals [8] [9] These observed effects are related to cement kiln dust which must have been transported by the blood stream to the organs and tissues [10]. There is the need to prevent the adverse effects of cement kiln dust exposure This informed the use of ascorbic acid and Hibiscus sabdariffa as antioxidants. Hibiscus sabdariffa is an exogenous antioxidant which is plant based and is said to possess flavonoids [14] which are potent antioxidant principles [15]
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