Effect of melamine adulteration on body weight, liver and kidney histology and liver function indices of albino rats

Abstract

The effect of melamine adulteration on body weight, liver and kidney histology and liver function using feed containing 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mg of melamine per kg diet administered ad labium to wistar rats were studied. Kidney histology was affected at concentrations ≥8 mg kg -1 by the onset of mild interstitial chronic inflammation while the liver histology of all test animals appeared normal. Results of body weight change showed significant (p<0.05) increase at the highest dosed group though, body weight increase was observed in all animals. The subchronic toxicity study on liver function parameters showed significant (p<0.05) increase in ALT activity at all doses while, total protein concentration was significantly affected (p<0.05) in the highest dosed group. Melamine should therefore, be absent from feed especially at concentrations approaching milligram quantity in order to safe guard health.