Biochemical evaluation of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the kidney of Albino rats

The effect of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the cells of the kidney was evaluated. Serum Na+ concentration of control rats was observed to be 120±1.0 nmol/l while that of rat placed on simulated leachate was 180±4.0 nmol/l. Serum K+, urea and creatinine concentrations of rats placed on simulated leachate and leachate-contaminated groundwater were significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of control rats. The activity of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the control rats were (237±3.70 and 0.37±0.01)nmol/min/mg protein while (116±4.20 and 3.17±0.20)nmol/min/mg protein was the ALP activity of kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the rats placed on simulated leachate. Histological examination of the kidney of the control rats showed no visible lesion while that of rats placed on simulated leachate showed extensive necrosis of muscle fibres and cellular infiltration by macrophages. It is viewed that leachate-contaminated groundwater may damage kidney cells and impair renal function.