Changes in rat liver enzyme activities following consumption of crude oil contaminated catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Objective: To study changes in selected liver enzymes of albino rats fed on diet formulated with catfish that were exposed for 30 days to water polluted with crude oil. Methodology and results: One hundred and twenty (120) catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in six groups of 20 catfish each were held for 30 h in water having five different concentrations of crude oil (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% v/v). The catfish in the control group were held in un-polluted borehole water. After 30 h, the catfish were harvested and used to formulate diet. Albino rats (n = 60) in six groups of 10 rats each were fed on the formulated diet for a period of 30 days. The control rats were fed on diet containing catfish cultured in borehole water while those in groups two to six were fed on diets containing catfish exposed to the various concentrations of crude oil. In comparison with the control, a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was observed as the concentration of crude oil in the diet increased. Conversely, the activities of these enzymes in the serum of treated albino rats increased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the control. Conclusion and application of findings: The data obtained suggests a possible adverse effect of crude oil on albino rats, as manifested by changes in liver enzymes. This demonstrates the adverse impact of crude oil intoxication during oil spillage and pollution, a common occurrence on aquatic life and animals.