The Bioaccumulation of Mercury in Kidney and Liver of Wistar Rat Exposed to Methyl Mercury
E. K. Nwangwa, C. R. Nwokocha, U. E. Uzuegbu* and S. I. Ovuakporaye

Department of Physiology and *Department of Medical Biochemistry College of Health Sciences, Delta State University Abraka Nigeria.

Abstract: The bioconcentration of mercury in the kidney and liver of rats was studied. Twenty-four wister rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups(n=6). GroupA(control)were given rat chow and drinking water .Group B (given rat chow +10% by mass of Solanum lycopersicum(sl). Group C ( given rat chow + mercury in water at a concentration of 10ppm . Group D (given rat chow +Hg in 10ppm+10% by mass of sl). The result shows a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the concentration of mercury in the liver and kidney. There was also a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in liver enzyme- Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase(GPT) and Glutamate oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), which shows the destructive effects of mercury in the organs. The study also shows a statistically significant decrease in the destructive effects as a result of the administration of Solanium lycopersicum.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Mercury poisoning; Solanum lycopersicum; Liver enzymes

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