EFFECT OF FOOD ADDITIVES; CARMOISINE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM ON THE LIVER OF ADULT WISTAR RAT

Ezejindu D. N., Aguwa U. S.*, Ugwuja J. O., Ezejindu I. O., Akukwu Cyprian D., Uloneme Godwin C., Okafor E. C., Okeke S. M.

ABSTRACT

Carmoisine and acesulfame potassium are widely used as food additives. This study examined the effects of oral administration of carmoisine and acesulfame potassium on some biochemical parameters and histology of the liver of Wistar rats. Twenty adult Wistar rats (average weight 120-200g) were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group A (control) was given rat feed and water, group B received 500mg/kg/bw of carmoisine, group C received 500mg/kg/bw of acesulfame potassium while group D was co-administered 250mg/kg body weight each of carmoisine and acesulfame potassium. All food additives were given daily by oral gavage method for twenty-one days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the rats were sacrificed. The liver tissues were harvested, weighed and fixed in 10% formaline for histological studies. Blood for serum chemistry was collected through ocular puncture for histochemical studies from all the rats. Evaluation of liver function enzymes was carried out using randox kit method. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in groups B, C & D were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group A. Histological observation showed that administration of carmoisine and acesulfame potassium resulted in necrosis of liver tissue and this correlates with the biochemical results. This study revealed that exposure of rats to carmoisine and acesulfame pottassium at these concentrations caused impaired hepatic functions which may constitute a risk factor for hepatic disorders.

Keywords: Carmoisine, Acesulfame Potassium, Liver, Adult Wistar rat.