HEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF ALUMINIUM TOXICITY ON ALBINO RAT

Abstract

This investigation was carried out to observe the toxic effect of aluminium chloride on selected tissues and the blood of the albino rat (Rattus novergicus). Aluminium toxicity is a rare condition which occurs when the aluminium metal accumulates in the body either by direct inhalation or from drinking water contaminated by this metal. Analysis of the kidney, liver and stomach tissues of rats administered increasing doses of the toxicant showed varying degrees of changes such as the presence of patches of blood stains which indicated possibility of haemorrhage, the presence of large vacuoles of triglyceride indicating a possibility of fatty liver disease while the presence of dark spots indicated the presence of dilated and congested blood vessels in these tissues. Analysis of the blood revealed an increase in neutrophil, platelet, MCHC, haemoglobin, pack cell volume, MCV, MCH and MPV PL. However, there was a decrease in red blood cell, lymphocyte, mixed (eosinophil and basophil), RDW_CV, PDW PL and P_LCR PL all of which were statistically significant at p<0.05, showing a negative effect of the toxicant. This study thus confirms the toxicity of aluminium chloride and as such its consumption should be completely discouraged