Mercury is sliver in colour, toxic metallic chemical element that is liquid at room temperature known to be a widespread environmental and industrial pollutant which induced several alternations in the tissues, and produces peripheral neuropathy in experimental animals and human beings. It finds its application in cosmetics manufacturing companies, dental filling, stabilizing agent. The present study investigated the possible adverse effect of mercury chloride on the liver of adult wistar rats. Thirty six adult wistar rates of both sexes weighing between 110 g-300 g were randomly grouped into four groups; group A,B,C,D with each group containing 9 rats and group. A served as the control group maintained daily with feed and water. The other groups B, C and D were given mercury chloride solution orally containing 0.2 g/kg, 0.4 g/kg and 0.5 g/kg body weight of mercury chloride respectively alongside the fed and water for 21 days and weighed weekly after which they were sacrificed using cervical dislocation. Blood was obtained through cardiac puncture for assay of hepatic markers; Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Asparatate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT). then liver was removed, weighed and fixed in 10% formol saline and processed for histological studies using Haemotoxylin and Eosin (H and E) staining technique.
Results obtained show as significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weights of the treated groups B, C and D as compared with the control group A. There was no significant (P>0.05) decrease in organ weights of the wistar rats. Histological observation revealed well preserved histo-architecture in the control group A. however treated group B, C and D showed inflammation of cells, enlargement of the central vein, distorted sinusoids and hemorrhage around the central vein. Biochemical analysis for ALP showed a significant increase in the treated group B, C and D but statistically significant (P<0.05) in group C and D only as compared to control group A, AST showed a significant increase in all treated group A, C, and D and all showed statistically significant values (P<0.05) as compared to control group A and ALT showed a significant increase in all treated group B, C and D and all showed statistically significant values (P<0.05) as compared to control group A. The study then concluded that mercury chloride exposure induced hepatic damage with elevated haptic enzymes, this may ultimately impair hepatic functions in wistar rats.
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Journal of Morphology and Anatomy received 63 citations as per Google Scholar report
