Sub-chronic exposure to Leachate from Ojota, Lagos is associated with Liver and kidney toxicity in Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the toxicity of Leachate from Ojota, Lagos dumpsite on the kidney and liver of male Wistar rats. Forty-five male albino rats weighing 180 ±5.5 grams were randomly divided into five groups (n=9). Group A rats drank distilled water throughout the experimental period while rats in group B, C, D and E were exposed to 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% leachate via drinking water for 45 days respectively. Daily intake of leachate was measured for each group. On the last day, the animals were fasted 8 hours overnight and blood samples were collected for liver and kidney function tests. Our finding revealed that rats exposed to 25%, 50% and 75% drank more of the leachate. There were marked increase (P<0.05) in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rats exposed to different concentrations of the leachate. Rats exposed to 75% and 100% leachate showed significant increase (P<0.05) in serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was higher in other groups compared to control, while rats exposed to 25% and 50% leachate had increase in the serum direct bilirubin concentration (P<0.05). Creatinine level was markedly high in rats exposed to 100% leachate while the rats that were exposed to 50% and 100% leachate had elevated urea level. Conclusively, leakage of leachate into water bodies especially ground water and its exposure through drinking may pose a high risk on liver and kidney function.