ABSTRACT

The biochemical and toxicological effects of long term feeding of cassava to rats was investigated using spectrophotometer, enzymatic and histopathological methods. The results indicated that long term cassava feeding without adequate protein can also cause chronic pancreatitis-like morphological changes. The serun thiocyanate ranged from 15.30-21.46 ug/ml for rats in the age bracket 1-2 months, 15.06-21.30 ug/ml for rats in 3- 4 months of age and 14.30-21.40 for rats in 5-6 months of age. The serum thiocyanate of rats in group 111 had the highest level 21,46ug/ml while rats in group I has the least serum thiocyanate level 14.30 ug/ml. The values were significantly different (P<0.05). The whole blood thiocyanate was highest in group III rats (26.83ug/ml) and least in group (1 15.60ug/mg). The serum and whole blood cyanide were highest in group I age 1-2 months 13.03 ug/ml and 18.23 ug/ml respectively, and lowest in group III rats aged 5- 6months with serum cynide 3.30 ug/ml and whole blood cyanide! 1.10 ug/ml There groups. Group Irats of age 1-2 months showed the highest depletion in glutathione 0.85 mg/lOOml. The liver enzymes; alkaline phosphatase, ALT and AST were significantly (P0.05) elevated in group I rats compared to the control, followed by the group II rats. Total protein level was highest in group III rats. There were manifestation of necrosis and signs of pancreatictis- like morphological changes in group I rats than in group III rats. observed to be higher in the group I than group II and group Ill rats. The results are discussed from toxicological and histopathological point of view. Liver and kidney damages were The biochemical and toxicological effects of long term feeding of cassava to rats was were significant differences (P<0.05) in the glutathione levels of the rats in different