EFFECTS OF LEACHED POLYPROPYLENE INTO FOOD ON SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF NORMAL ALBINO RATS

The demand for plastics, as versatile polymers with multiple applications, has significantly increased over the years, with polypropylene (PP) being the major thermoplastics dominating the market, however, with the one-time-use attitude towards plastic items in conjunction with the current levels of plastic production and low recovery rate, hazardous plastic waste discarded into the environment is sure to increase. This study investigated the effects of formulations of polypropylene on lipid profiles in the brains of experimental rats. Twenty (20) healthy albino rats weighing between 90-120g were obtained from the animal house of the Department of Biochemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar and were grouped into two. Group I (control) and Group II (experimental), with each group consisting of 10 animals. The animals were acclimatized for one week and their weights noted before, during and on the last day of experimental treatments. lipid parameters assessed incThe luded total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The results shows a significant increase in TC and TG levels in Group II, with mean values of 129.1 ± 1.3 mg/dL and 398.5 ± 11.1 mg/dL, respectively, compared to Group I, which showed values of 122.0 ± 1.0 mg/dL and 363.1 ± 1.6 mg/dL. HDL levels remained constant at 0.3 ± 0.1 mg/dL for both groups, while LDL levels also exhibited a slight increase in Group II (145.1 ± 1.0 mg/dL) compared to Group I (143.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL).These findings suggest that the incorporation of polypropylene in the diet may influence lipid metabolism in the brain, potentially leading to alterations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and implications of these changes on neurological health and function. This work contributes to the understanding of how dietary components, specifically synthetic materials used in packaging, can impact lipid profiles and overall brain health in experimental models.