African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1123

Full Length Research Paper

Histopathological and biochemical disrupting effects of Escravos crude oil on the liver and heart in Chinchilla rabbits

Ngokere Anthony Ajuluchukwu
  • Ngokere Anthony Ajuluchukwu
  • Histopathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
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Okoye Jude Ogechukwu*
  • Okoye Jude Ogechukwu*
  • Histopathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
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Ogenyi Samuel Ifedioramma
  • Ogenyi Samuel Ifedioramma
  • Histopathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
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Bukar Simon Mshelbwala
  • Bukar Simon Mshelbwala
  • In-vitro Diagnostics Control Laboratory, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, 8 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
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Ude Tochukwu
  • Ude Tochukwu
  • Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
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  •  Accepted: 27 February 2014
  •  Published: 31 March 2014

Abstract

The benefit of exploration and exploitation of crude oil to the Nigerian economy is not without its negative consequences. Apart from the indirect exposure to crude oil due to spillage, the consumption of this crude oil by the rural populace living in oil rich regions as traditional medicine for illnesses have evoked local and international concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and biochemical disrupting effects of Escravos crude on the liver and heart in Chinchilla rabbits. A total of thirty Chinchilla rabbits aged twelve to fourteen weeks and weighing 1.2 to 1.45 kg were used. Crude oil was orally given at the doses of 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg body weight, corresponding to groups B, C, D and E, respectively for 28 days while group A (control) received distilled water. The result show a dose dependent significant increase in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (p<0.05). The histological findings include: lymphocytic infiltration, cirrhosis, fibrosis, hemosiderin, oedema, mild tissue scaring and tissue necrosis. Thus, this result suggests that Escravos crude oil is a potential biochemical disruptor and can also affect the micro-architecture of liver and heart.

Key words: Escravos crude oil, liver, heart, biochemical parameters, histology, Chinchilla rabbits.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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