A time course study on blood chemistry and haematological parameters of albino rats exposed to microwaved pellets

Abstract

Different studies have implicated radiations in diverse health anomalies including genetic mutations and carcinogenesis. The present study sought to investigate any changes in vital blood chemistry indices following intake of micro wave pellet over different lengths of time using animal model (Wistar rats). Thirty-six adult male rats were randomized into three groups (n = 12). Group 1 animals (control) were fed with normal pellets; groups 2 and 3 animals were respectively fed with indirectly and directly micro waved pellets, and water ad libitum. Four animals were sacrificed weekly for three weeks from each group and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for  biochemical analyses. Plasma levels of total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin and haematological indices were determined using standard procedures. Comparative analyses of the control and experimental groups showed that intake of micro waved pellets (both direct and indirect) caused significant (p<0.05) alterations in the physiological levels of total cholesterol, total triglyceride, HDL, LDL, ALP, AST, ALT, total protein, total and indirect bilirubin, by the third week. Although, these parameters did not significantly  changed within the first two weeks, but significant (p<0.05) changes in haematological parameters were noticed right from the first week of micro waved pellet intake. Collectively, the outcome of this study apparently substantiates the health risk commonly associated with the intake of micro waved food and therefore discourages its consumption.