Assessment of heavy metals around Abakaliki metropolis and potential bioaccumulation and biochemical effects on the liver, kidney, and erythrocyte of rats

This study investigated changes in kidney, liver and erythrocyte of male rats after exposure to ground water samples collected in the studied areas and treated water sample. Results reveal high levels of heavy metals in water from studied areas and a concomitant accumulation of metals in liver, kidney and blood of rats. Heavy metal contaminated underground water (HMCUW) caused a significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), including glutathione (GSH) levels. Principal component analysis implicated geogenic and anthropogenic factors for underground water contamination by heavy metals in the areas. However, activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (g-GT), 51 nucleotidase (51NT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) significantly increased in kidney, liver and erythrocytes of rats compared with control group (p < 0.001). We observed significant (p < 0.001) increase in serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels compared to control. Heavy metals in HMCUW are above ambient levels and possess significant decrease in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels. Histology revealed alterations in architecture of the kidney and liver. Prolonged exposure to HMCUW could induce oxidative damage in kidney, liver and erythrocyte which could elicit liver and kidney dysfunctions.