ABSTRACT

 The sub-acute toxicity evaluation of ponmo was carried out using adult male Wistar rats. The cow skin was purchased at slaughter point and separated into two groups. The first group was processed using tyre flame and the second group was processed by boiling and then the skin was shaved off with razor blade (control). A total of twenty-five albino rats were randomly separated into five groups. The processed ponmo was incorporated into feed of the test groups for the period of 28 days. Group I were fed with 10% tyre flamed processed (TFP) cow skin, group 2 (20% TFP cow skin), group 3 (30% ]'FP cow skin), V group 4 (20 % razor shaved processed cow skin) and then group S were fed with normal rat chow. 'l'he effect of tyre flamed processed ponmo on the body weight and relative organ weight (liver and kidney), liver function parameter (AS1', ALl' and ALP), heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zi, Ni, and As), PAils present as well as the liver and kidney histology were assessed using standard methods. Result of the study showed no significant (p>O.05) difference in the body weights of all group of rats used in this study as well as in the relative organ weight. AST concentration of group I rats (115.4014.15 I.g!L) was significantly (pO.05) different from other treatments, group 2 (120.601 5.91 l.j,t/L) and group 5 (control) (122.80±5.12 I.WL). Group 3 (79.0013.41 I.j,t/L) had significantly (pO.OS) difference between group I (87.60±2.681.ji1L), group 2 (80.20±1.461.pIL), group 4 (92.20=13.44 l.p/L) and group5 (88.60±3.501.WL). Similarly, there was no significant (p>O.05) difference in the ALP levels between all treatment groups, groupl (10.401:0.51 I.,i/L), group 2 (11.40±1.08 I.1iJL), group 3(10.20±0.49 i.j,t/L), group 4 (12.60i 1.12 i.i/L), and group 5. Rats in group 3 had the highest lead (Pb) concentration (1.3010.01Mg/I), while rats in group 4 (0.02±0.01Mg/I) has the lowest. Zinc levels of rats in group 1 (0.0710.01Mg/I) and group 4 (control) (0.06±0.02Mg/I) was not significantly different from each other and but significantly higher than rats in group 2(0.03±0.01Mg/I). group 3 (0.03 10.01Mg/I) and group 4 (0.0310.01Mg/i). The rats fed with normal rat chow had the highest arsenic levels (0.72±0.02Mg/I) while rats in group 2 (0.06±0.01 Mg/I) had the least compared with other treatments. On the other hand, group 3 (1.23.10.01Mg/I) rats had the highest nickel concentration while group 4 (0.19±0.01 Mg/I) rats had the least. When compared to normal control there was severe portal inflammation with interface hepatitis (piecemeal-necrosis) consisting of lymphocytes, suggesting that the lyre flamed ponmo had a visible effect on the liver architect. In the case of the kidney pathology there was essentially no significant difference. Therefore, consumption of tyre flamed processed cow skin is likely to have a toxic effect following prolonged administration to Wister rats.