The Effects Of Consumption Of Provitamin A Cassava On Biochemical Indices And Histology Of Selected Organs In Wistar Albino Rats :-Nwankwo Chinedum I

ABSTRACT x In this study, the effects of consumption of provitamin A cassava on biochemical indices and histopathology of the heart, liver and kidney of Wistar albino rats for a twenty one day period. The animals were randomized into five groups of approximately equal weights A— E, and feed composed of varying concentrations of provitaminA cassava and normal rat chow administered. Group A was fed with 75% beta carotene cassava and 25% normal rat feed, group B was fed with 50% beta carotene cassava and 50% normal rat feed., group C was fed with 50% non beta carotene cassava and 50% normal rat feed, group D was fed with 25% beta carotene cassava and 75% normal rat feed and group E was fed with 100% rat feed. The results at the end of each week showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in total cholesterol in between the group A which received the highest concentration of provitamin A cassava, 4.92±0.21and group E which did not receive any provitamin A had a value of 5.42±0.23, while the group C which consumed a different type of cassava had a value of 5.21±0.01 showing that the provitamin A reduced significantly the plasma total cholesterol. The LDL-Cholesterol was reduced significantly in the group A 2.41±0.04 compared to the group E 3.61±0.01, while the group C had a value of 2.55±0.04 showing the LDLcholesterol lowering potential of provitamin A. The cassava MDA result for the group A was also lower 1.53±0.01 than groups C 1.44±0.01 and E 1.66±0.02.The total protein was also decreased in group A 4.22±0.03 compared to the group E 4.51±0.01. The serum AST activity was significantly reduced 158.30±0.42 as against the 274.32±0.45 of group E. The serum ALT activity followed the same trend having a value of 112.50±0.71 for group A while the group E had a value of 144.10±0.14 .The serum ALP activity also reduced for the group A 27.20±0.28 compared to the group E. 38.30±0.28.The above results as well as the histopathology results showed necrosis in the group A compared to the group E as well as pathological changes in the kidney thus confirming the toxicity of high dose consumption of provitamin A cassava.