Effect of Acute Kerosene Toxicity on the Histology of the Small Intestine, Intestinal Enzyme Amylase and Malondialdehyde (MDA) on Adults Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the acute toxicological effect of ingesting kerosene on malondialdehyde, intestinal enzyme amylase and histology of the small intestine. The study was carried out among 20 rats, with an average weight of 110-180grams, 10 were used for control while the other 10 for experimental study. 13mls of kerosene was added to300ml of water to give a concentration of 10mg/kg. Kerosene component was detected in blood serum for MDA and amylase determination, and fragment of the small intestine was sent for histological study. The result showed a decrease in the weight of the experimental rats when compared to control rat. There was also a significant increase (p<0.5) in amylase level in the treated rats (157+18.17Units/L) when compared with the control (195.54+28.68Units/L) in experimental Wistar rats. Furthermore Malondialdehyde concentration showed significant increase from (1.139 ± 0.58)µmol/L in control group to (2.49+ 0.65)µmol/L in the intoxicated group.   From the histological studies, the small intestine of the intoxicated rat showed mild mucosal devitalization and separation. These findings suggest that kerosene when ingested can cause toxicological effects; hence all measures should be taken to minimize the ingestion of kerosene contaminated water.

Keywords: kerosene, amylase, malondialdehyde, wistar rats