Hepatotoxic Effect of Port Harcourt Eliozu Landfill Leachate in Wistar Rats

Studies have reported deleterious effect of landfill leachate and their surrounding water sources around the world. None has been reported on the Port Harcourt (Eliozu) landfill. This therefore necessitates this study that evaluated the hepatotoxic effects of Port Harcourt (Eliozu) landfill in wistar rats. 25 wistar rats were grouped into five of five rats each. Group 1 served as the control and received 1 ml of commercial non-carbonated bottled water; Group 2 served as negative control and received 1 ml of water obtained from borehole about 1 km from the landfill; while Groups 3, 4 and 5 received 1 ml of 10% of leachate concentration, 1 ml of 50% of leachate concentration and 1 ml of 100% of leachate concentration respectively once daily for 90 days. After the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and 5 ml of blood was collected via cardiac puncture. The blood samples were prepared and used for the determination of serum concentrations of liver enzymes. The rats were also dissected and the liver harvested for histochemical analysis using the periodic acid Schiff stain. Result showed the serum concentrations liver enzymes significantly increased in the rats exposed to the leachate and water from a nearby borehole. Also histochemistry examination showed a marked distortion of the hepatic cells and cirrhotic change in the test groups compared to control. This study therefore concludes that exposure to Port Harcourt Eliozu landfill leachate (PELL) may cause significant hepatotoxicity in rats.