ASSESSMENT OF BRAIN PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITIES OF WISTAR RATS EXPOSED TO SELECTED HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AGENTS

ABSTRACT This study assessed the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the brain tissues of Wistar albino rats exposed to vapours of household disinfectants Hypo (sodium hypochlorite), Dettol (chloroxylenol), and Izal (orthobenzylphenol) either singly or in combination. Thirty rats were divided into ten groups (A–J), with Group J as control, and exposed for 21 consecutive days under controlled conditions. Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate at 400 nm, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). ALP activity ranged from 0.17 ± 0.04 to 1.37 ± 0.60 U/mg protein, peaking in Group A (5.1-fold increase vs control), though differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In contrast, ACP activity varied significantly (p < 0.001), ranging from 0.41 ± 0.07 to 1.81 ± 0.79 U/mg protein, with Groups E and F showing 3.0- and 4.4-fold increases, respectively. The results suggest that while ALP elevation may reflect a mild adaptive response to maintain neuronal integrity, the marked rise in ACP activity indicates lysosomal leakage and neuronal membrane destabilization caused by oxidative stress from volatile organic compounds. Overall, chronic exposure to these vapours subtly disrupted phosphatase-regulated brain metabolism, highlighting potential risks of oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative alterations, and emphasizing the importance of safer formulations, adequate ventilation, and public awareness regarding household disinfectant use.