Toxicological evaluation of the effect of water contaminated with lead, phenol and benzene on liver, kidney and colon of Albino rats

The effect of water contaminated with phenol, benzene and lead on rats cellular system was investigated. Selected enzyme activity of the kidney and colon of rats was carried out. Standard enzyme assays were also conducted for selected liver enzymes such as alkaline and acid phosphatases, alanine and aspartate transaminases, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. Serum indices of liver and kidney function were also determined. The direct bilirubin of test rats were observed to be 3.2 ± 0.2 U/mol/l while that of control rat was 1.2 ± 0.003 U/mol/l. The total bilirubin of test rats was found to be 8.4 ± 0.8 U/mol/l while that of the control was 5.6 ± 0.5 U/mol/l. Generally, enzymes activity in the tissues of test rats were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower relative to control, while the enzyme activity of the serum of test rats was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control. It could be inferred that experimental data suggest possible damage to the tissues and that consumption of polluted water may account for increasing cases of renal and hepatic failure among people in developing countries.