Effect of Local Arake on Hepatorenal Structures And Functions in Swiss Albino Mice: Lab-Based Acute Toxicity Study

Abstract

Background: Ethiopia is the most culturally diversified country in which a variety of traditional alcoholic beverages are consumed in different cultures and among others Arake is very popular. The effect of Arake on internal organs structures and functions is not well studied. Objectives: Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess acute effect of local Arake on hepatorenal structures and functions in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Twenty eight newly breaded Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into four groups. Arake was provided for the experimental groups and distilled water for control for daily for six weeks. Throughout the treatment period the mice in both groups were observed for any behavioral change and body weight was recorded on daily bases. At the end of 42 days each animal was anaesthetized with diethyl ether and blood was collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical determination such as AST, ALT, BUN and CRT as a measure of liver and kidney functions. After blood collection the mice sacrificed by cervical dislocation and abdominal cavity was opened anteriorly through midline incision of the abdomen to gain access to internal organs notably Liver and Kidneys. Wet organ weight of each organ was recorded, accessioned and immersion fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological investigation. The quantitative data including body weight, organ weight and serum levels of AST, ALT, BUN and CRT were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the result presented by descriptive statistics as mean ± SEM while the difference between groups were compared using one way ANOVA Post Hoc Tukey and p-value < 0.05 was considered as a significant. The qualitative data including histopathological alterations was investigated through preparing microscopic slides which were examined under light microscope by Anatomist and Pathologist (both blinded to dose and groups). Results: Twenty eight Swiss albino mice (14 Males and 14 Females) were used to start the experimentation. But, four mice (2 Male and 2 Female mice) were dead within 72hr of acclimatization and twenty four mice survived up to end of necropsy. The body weight of the treated groups was significantly decreased as compared to control group (p<0.05) but the decrement of weight between the treated groups was not significant. The serum level of AST ii and ALT of the experimental group was significantly higher when compared with control group (p<0.05). Serum level of BUN and CRT was increased as the dose of Arake administered increases but the serum level of the CRT has no significance difference in all the groups but serum urea was significantly different between the groups. Arake consumption induced hepatorenal inflammation and necrosis precipitated by increment in dose accompanied by alteration of its functions. Conclusions: The result of this study revealed that Arake intake decreased body weight of the mice and induced hepatorenal inflammation and necrosis accompanied by alteration of its functions. The damaging effect was exacerbated as the dose of Arake increased