ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at assessing the protective effect of coconut water on the weight, haematology and lipid profile of lead induced Albino rat.
Healthy Sixty (60) albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) of 3 replicates with 4 rats. 4mg/kg (0.6g/l) of lead nitrate dissolved in 1litre of distilled water were orally administered to rat in Group A, while Group B was orally administered 4mg/kg (0.6g/l) of lead salt and 15mg/kg (2ml/l) ofcoconut water, while group C was orally administered only 15 mg/kg (2ml/l of coconut water twice weekly respectively Group D served as the control and this lasted for a period of 15 weeks. The body weight of each animal was weighed using an Ohaus scale crop weighing balance with a sensitivity of 0.1g. At the end of each 3 weeks period, three (3) rats from each group were sacrificed for the blood tissues and analyzed for haematological and lipid profile parameters. Blood samples for haematological and lipid profile analysis were collected from the heart of dissected albino rats using 5ml disposable sterile syringes and were conveyed into tubes containing potassium EDTA anticoagulant for complete blood count (CBC) analysis. Blood and lipid profile parameters were obtained from CBC analysis by a full-automated Sysmex Hematology Instrument and Sysmex Cell counter (Autoanalyser).
Results of the study showed the Mean weight of 118.6g, 141.7g, 162.33g and 163.0 g for the groups A, B, C and D (control) respectively. Variation in blood parameters revealed mean values of 6.67 × 103 ,7.73 × 103, 8.70 × 103, 8.73 × 103 for WBC; 7.17 × 103, 7.76 × 103, 7.85 × 103, 8.44 × 103 for RBC; 13.07 g/dl,13.67 g/dl, 13.87 g/dl, 14.47 g/dl for haemoglobin; 64.57µl, 68.43 µl, 69.53 µl, 69.33 µl for MCV; 27.50 g/dl, 28.33 g/dl, 33.90 g/dl, 32.80 g/dl for MCHC and 565.3x103 µl, 468.67x103 µl, 374.00x103 µl, 382.00x103 µl for platelets in groups A, B, C and D respectively. Lipid profile analysis indicated Total cholesterol volume of 94.30 × 106 ul, 82.67 × 106 ul, 72.67 × 106 ul and 76.33 × 106 ul; Total triglyceride (TG) of 117.00 mg/dl, 85.00 mg/dl, 39.67 mg/dl and 61.00 mg/dl and High density lipoprotein of 31.00 fl, 36.67 fl, 36.00 fl and 46.33 fl for groups A, B, C and D respectively. These results show that coconut water could ameliorate effects of lead toxicity on haematology, lipid profile and weight, due to its antioxidant properties, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and increasing the lifespan of lead induced albino rats.
