title: Effect of Clarias gariepinus cultured in contaminated water on rats.
abstract: In this study, African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were cultured in water contaminated with phthalate, benzene and cyclohexane (10 microg/mL), respectively, over a period of 65 days. They were, thereafter, used as protein source to formulate feed for albino rats (Wistar strain) for 28 days. The weights of the body and selected tissues of the rats were monitored and standard enzyme assays were conducted for some enzymes in the serum. Results showed that rats in cyclohexane group gained 58% whereas the control group gained 46% of body weight. Liver weight (absolute and relative) of test rats were found to be significantly lower than that of control (p < .05). Enzyme activity of serum of test rats was found to be significantly higher than that of control (p < .05). Experimental evidence suggests leakage of enzymes from the liver to the serum, thus the elevated serum enzyme activity and that the contaminants may damage the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin-City, Nigeria. yemicoash@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Oyeyemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: Olalekan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: Chris C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Osubor
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002397:Catfishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004032:Diet; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003510:Cyclohexanes; D004798:Enzymes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C506365:Cyclohexane; C032279:phthalic acid; D001554:Benzene