Biochemical evaluation of the effect of Sudan IV dye on liver function

Abstract

The effect of Sudan IV (Scarlet red or Solvent red 24) dye on liver integrity was investigated. Parameters studied include weight gain, feed intake, faecal output, albumin content, total protein, direct and total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST & ALT respectively) activities. Thirty- two albino rats (Wistar strain)were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. All the groups were fed 90% rats mash supplemented with 10% palm oil. Sudan IV was  co-administered with the diet to provide levels of 0, (PO), 0.005% (PO/0.005), 0.01% (PO/0.01) and 0.015% (PO/0.015). The animals were given these diets for six weeks along with water ad libitum. Results showed no significant (P<0.05) weightgain associated with test rats compared with the control, although feed intake was significantly reduced in those rats administered the dye. ALT and AST activities as well as protein, albumin, conjugated and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly increased in a dose - dependentmanner. Histopathological analysis revealed fibrosis in the liver of test rats. These results show a compromise in liver integrity of the experimental animals.

Key words: Sudan IV, liver integrity, aminotransferases, protein, bilirubin.