EFFECT OF ALUMINIUM TOXICITY ON SERUM TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN AND GLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS OF WISTAR RATS

Aluminium (Al), a widely used environmental metal, poses significant toxicological risks to humans and animals. This study evaluated the effects of aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) exposure on Wistar rats, focusing on serum protein profiles (total protein, albumin, and globulin), body weight, and organ weight changes. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: one control and four others exposed to AlCl₃ at doses of 331, 662, 993, and 1324 mg/kgbdwt for nine days. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined to be 1225.0 mg/kg using the Lorke method. Key findings revealed dose-dependent toxicity, including significant reductions in liver weight (Group 5: 5.10 ± 0.92 g vs. Group 1: 6.58 ± 0.34 g) and spleen weights (Group 5: 0.46 ± 0.49 g vs. Group 1: 0.82 ± 0.29 g), and a 5.60 g decrease in body weight in the highest-dose group. Serum protein analysis showed reduced total protein (Group 2: 5.48 ± 0.75 g/dL vs. Group 1: 5.92 ± 0.36 g/dL) and albumin levels (Group 2: 3.99 ± 0.30 g/dL vs. Group 1: 3.85 ± 0.39 g/dL) alongside elevated globulin levels, indicating hepatic dysfunction and immune response activation. In conclusion, AlCl₃ exposure significantly disrupts protein metabolism, induces systemic inflammation, and causes organ-specific damage in a dose-dependent manner. These findings underscore the importance of public health awareness, stricter regulatory measures, and further research to mitigate aluminium toxicity’s risks to humans and the environment.