STUDIES ON THE TOXIC EFFECT OF METHOXYACETIC ACID ON LIVER FUNCTION PARAMETERS AFTER 3 AND 4 WEEKS EXPOSURE

ABSTRACT

Methoxyacetic acid is a toxic metabolite of an industrial solvent ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME). Since it is used in industries, human can come in contact with it which may prove toxic. This study was carried out to assess the toxic effect of methoxyacetic acid on liver function parameters. A total of 20 rats were used for this study. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days before the experiment began and divided into 2 groups. Group 1 served as control and group 2 served as test groups and were administered 450mg/kg of methoxyacetic acid for 3 and 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed and the liver was harvested and examined. Biochemically, the plasma ALT and ALP activities were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the methoxyacetic acid treatment group. The significant elevations in the activities of ALT and ALP indicates signs of damages to tissues other than the liver such as the kidney or heart. The result of the histopathological assessment of the liver showed severe zonal necrosis and inflammatory infiltrates. It is therefore suggestive that methoxyacetic acid is dangerous to the liver