Volume 24, Issue 106, November - December, 2020

Assessment of liver functions in occupationally exposed subjects working in lead acid battery factory in Nnewi

Okpogba Aloysius Ngozyka¹, Ogbodo Emmanuel Chukwuemeka^2♦, Agada Uchenna Nelson³, Nkama Venite Isioma⁴, Akabuogu Roseline Kwenyerechi⁵, Amah Akuma Kalu⁶, Okwara Nuratu Adejumoke⁷, Odumodu Ifeakandu Onyedikachukwu²

¹Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria;
²Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria;
³Histopathology unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria;
⁴Department of Laboratory Services, Central Hospital Warri, Nigeria;
⁵Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria;
⁶Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria;
⁷Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; Email: augustinee442@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Lead (Pb) is an important environmental pollutant causing significant public health problems in many parts of the world and may be implicated in the pathology of the liver. This study was designed for the assessment of liver functions in lead acid battery factory workers occupationally exposed to hazardous effects of lead in their workplace in Nnewi. A total of 78 apparently healthy individuals aged between 18 and 56 years were recruited for the study. Thereafter, 6ml of venous blood sample was collected from each individual into plain container for the evaluation of biochemical indices. Total protein (TP), Albumin (ALB), Total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) were assayed using established standard laboratory methods. Results revealed no significant alterations in the levels of serum ALB, TP, DB, AST and ALT (p>0.05) with significantly reduced levels of TB and ALP activity among the lead acid battery factory workers (P<0.05) than in control subjects which suggest no underlying liver pathology as a result of occupational exposure.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Lead, Liver, Liver functions, Age, LOS, Gender

Medical Science, 2020, 24(106), 4821-4829

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