Crude oil has been implicated in causing many physiological effects when it is ingested directly or indirectly. The effects of ingesting varying concentrations of Excravos light crude oil on the activity of some liver marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation was studied in rats. The experiment was carried out for two weeks. Albino rats (n-24) were grouped into six of four rats per group in five different concentrations of the crude oil (0.1%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%) per body kg, which were administered by oral intubation, leaving out the last group as the control. The rats were fed on normal diet and water ad libitum. From the results, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level increased significantly (p0.05). These results are indicative of cases of increased lipid peroxidation during long term accumulation of ingested crude oil and a consequent emergence of serious hepatotoxic effects amongst other haematological effects.
Key words: Crude Oil, Malondialdehyde, Alanine Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Aminotransferase
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