Ibiba F. Oruambo and Dabodikidikibo T. Felix
The dose-response effects of extracts of fresh and dry shrimps contaminated with cyanobacterial toxins on total hepatic proteins and redox state were determined in the livers male of albino rats. Redox state was determined based on mitochondrial NAD+/NADH ratios which was measured at 260nm and 340nm, respectively. Total protein was determined in liver cytoplasmic fraction by the biuret method. The rats were grouped and fed with various doses of either fresh or dry shrimp extracts, while control rats were not fed either shrimp extract. Results show classical dose-response decreases of over 50% in cytoplasmic total protein content in rats fed with 2.5ml/kg bw of fresh shrimp extract and 5.0ml/kg bw of dry shrimp extract respectively when compared to the control value. Similarly, there were decreases in mitochondrial NAD+/NADH ratios in rats fed with 2.5ml/kg bw and 5.0ml/kg bw of fresh and dry shrimp extracts over control, although the percent decreases were below 25% of control. These results suggest the probable interference of the toxin with redox reaction pathway in the mitochondria and inhibition of cytoplasmic protein ?¢????pool?¢???, and thus potential hepato-toxicity to humans in the Niger Delta who consume these shrimps on a daily basis, and consistent with other reports by others
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