IMPACT OF INGESTED LEACHED POLYETHYLENE IN WATER ON SERUM LEVELS OF AMINOTRANSFERASES OF NORMAL WISTAR RATS

Plastics have a history of innovation, notably in supporting various sectors such as healthcare, food preservation, packaging, building and manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and more. Since the commencement of industrial plastic production in the 1950s, the sheer volumes of plastics manufactured have surpassed those of nearly any other material. However, the very characteristics that make plastics highly desirable also contribute to their ubiquitous presence in the environment, particularly as a significant portion of plastics is designed for immediate disposal after use. This study investigates the effects of leached polyethylene in water on liver enzyme levels in experimental animals. Two groups of rats were utilized: a control group (Group I) fed normal rat chow and tap water, and an experimental group (Group II) fed the same diet but with water containing leached polyethylene. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured to assess liver function. The results revealed that Group II exhibited significantly elevated levels of ALT (56.16 ± 1.22 µmol/L) and AST (93.12 ± 3.01 µmol/L) compared to Group I, which had ALT at 41.00 ± 0.52 µmol/L and AST at 34.44 ± 2.11 µmol/L. Furthermore, the AST/ALT ratio was markedly higher in Group II (1.66) than in Group I (0.84), indicating potential liver injury associated with leached polyethylene exposure. These findings suggest that leached polyethylene may have detrimental effects on liver health, highlighting the need for further investigation into the safety and biological impact of polyethylene contaminants in drinking water.