Investigation of the hepatotoxicity of lacatomtom drink in albino rat

Abstract

“Lacatomtom” (LTT), commonly called ‘gigabyte’, is a dark-brown solution formed from the combination of tomtom candy with lacasera drink consumed by Nigerian youths. This study investigated the toxic effect of LTT at varying concentrations on albino rats’ liver function enzyme profile. Thirty-six (36) male albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with average body weights of 90­-300g were placed in six (6) groups with (6) rats in each. Group A served as the control while the others were test groups. Group A was given access to only feed and water ad libitum. Group B, C and D were orally administered with 1 mL of LTT containing 37 mg, 18.5 mg and 9.25 mg respectively of tomtom in 1 mL of lacasera drink per kilogram body weight rat (0.1 mL per 100 g weight rat) once daily, while group E was given 1 mL containing 37 mg of tomtom in 1 mL of water per kilogram body weight rat. Group F was given 1 mL of lacasera drink per kg body weight rat. After the 7^th and 14^th day of oral administration, the rats were sacrificed. The sera collected were evaluated for enzymes activities. The results showed that liver enzymes, including aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the test groups compared to the control group. Also, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in weight and liver-to-body weight ratio in rats administered with the test sample when compared with the control group. These findings suggest that the consumption of LTT drinks is toxic and can cause damage to liver with concomitant implications on human health.