The effect of potash on liver function of wistar rats

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of potash on liver function of wistar rats. Thirty two adult albino wistar rats divided into eight (8) groups were used for this study. Group A was the control, while B, C and D were test groups given 0.4g/ml, 0.6g/ml, and 0.8g/ml of potash respectively for 21 days. The weights of both the test animals and the control were monitored. The results on acute toxicity tests showed that LD50 was greater than 2.5g/kg body weight. The activities of GGT increased in group B (1.63 ± 0.54 U/L), C (3.20 ±0.92 U/L) and D (3.41 ±0.81 U/L) when compared with the control (1.00 ±0.36 U/L). The activities of AST increased in group B (0.83 ±0.09 U/L), C (0.90 ±0.05 U/L) and D (0.93 ±0.09 U/L) when compared with the control (0.76 ±0.13 U/L). ALT activities in group B (0.57 ±0.18 U/L), C (0.67 ±0.14 U/L) and D (0.87 ±0.07 U/L) increased in comparison with the control (0.55 ±0.17 U/L). ALP activities increased in group B (4.18 ±1.99 U/L), C (6.86 ±2.04 U/L) and D (6.00 ±1.34 U/L), in comparison with control (3.80 ±1.83 U/L). Our study revealed that Potash altered the functionality of the liver as well as the physical activity of the wistar rats and that the effect is dosage dependent.

Keywords: Potash, Liver, Toxicity, Rats, Dose