ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution, notably from copper, poses significant environmental and health risks due to human activities. Human-triggered activities have significantly raised heavy metal concentrations, resulting in toxicity in different ecosystems. Copper sulfate, a prevalent heavy metal, detrimentally impacts human health, predominantly affecting soft tissues like the liver, resulting in neurological disorders and multi-organ failure. Animal studies have shown that exposure to copper sulfate leads to tissue damage characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation and organ failure. Vitamin E, known for its resilient antioxidant properties, is being investigated for its potential to protect against heavy metal-induced liver damage. The aim of this experiment is to investigate the ameliorative potential of Vitamin E on copper sulfate-induced liver damage in adult Wistar rats. In this study, twenty-five (25) adult Wistar rats weighing between 160g and 220g were separated into five (5) groups; A, B, C, D, and E with each group containing five (5) Wistar rats of randomized patterns. The rats were administered with Copper sulfate and Vitamin E for a duration of 60days. Copper sulfate administration induced significant changes in body and liver weights and oxidative stress biomarkers. Histological analysis revealed vasodilatation, vascular stenosis, vascular congestion and periportal infiltrates of inflammatory cells, indicative of liver damage. However, treatment with Vitamin E mitigated these effects, demonstrating its protective role against copper sulfate toxicity.
