Milk Supplementation Ameliorates Lead-induced Hepatic Injuries through Improvement in Liver Functions and Hematology

Lead poisoning poses one of the major health challenges affecting all organ systems but mostly the nervous, renal, haematopoietic, liver and cardiovascular systems.This study investigated the effect of milk supplementation on markers of hepatic function and hematological parameters of lead acetate exposed albino rats.Twenty male albino rats were randomized into four groups of five rats each. Normal control received feed and water only. Lead group (Pb) received 80mg/kg body weight lead acetate. Standard control (Pb+Vit C) was given 80mg/kg lead acetate daily plus 100mg/kg of vitamin C, while treatment group (Pb+Milk) was given 80mg/kg lead acetate plus 400mg/kg milk. Animals were allowed access to feed and water. All administration was done once daily by oral gavage for 42days. Biochemical analyses were done using standard procedures.Rats exposed to lead showed a significant (p˂0.05) increase in the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin level, indicating liver dysfunction with a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in plasma albumin when compared with the control groups. The results also showed significant (p˂0.05) decrease in red blood cell count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration with significant elevations in the mean corpuscular volume and platelet concentrations when compared with the control.Milk supplementation ameliorated the negative effect of lead on the liver and improved hematological parameters.