Evaluation of Biochemical Indices of Liver and Kidney Tissues of Albino Wistar Rats Treated with Anthelmintic Drug (Albendazole)

Abstract

Anthelmintics are compounds that demonstrate antiparasitic activity against helminths, which settle in the human intestine. There have been reported cases of abuse in oral administration in Africa especially among Nigerians and thereby necessitated the need to evaluate their effects on two key physiological tissues. This study was designed to evaluate the biochemical indices of liver and kidney tissues of albino Wistar rats treated with antihelmintics drug - albendazole. This study was conducted in the animal house of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli and JoyManuel Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Nnewi, Anambra State. A total of fifty-two (52) Albino Wistar rats were purchased from Chris animals and Research Farm Mgbakwu, Awka, Anambra State. The rats were acclimatized for a period of two weeks (14 days) before they were grouped into four (4) for the administration of albendazole. Group 1 (Control) received only feed and water, Group 2 received 400mg/70kg, Group 3 received 800mg/70kg group and Group 4 received 1600mg/70kg of albendazole at the beginning of every 3 months for a period of 12 months in addition to daily feed and water. At the end of every 3 months, the animals were sacrificed. The rats were anaesthetized by chloroform in a closed jar, sacrificed by cervical dislocation, blood samples were collected and biochemical indices for liver and kidney function tests were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel. The results of the study revealed that there was no significant difference in all the liver function and kidney function parameters assayed for (p>0.05) when all the groups were compared till the 12^th month. Thus, the insignificant differences in the levels of hepatic enzymes and renal electrolytes as observed in this study does not indicate hepatic or renal dysfunctions and albendazole administered at a prescribed dosage may not cause any known biochemical adverse effects.