The Role of Polyethylene Leaching on Liver and Renal Function: Investigating Serum LDH and ALP Levels in Albino Wistar Rats

Polyethylene or polythene is the most commonly produced plastic. It is a polymer, primarily used for packaging. This study investigates the effects of leached polyethylene on serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels as indicators of tissue health and metabolic function. Rats were divided into two groups, with group I (Control), fed normal rat chow without exposure to polyethylene (n=10), and group II (Experimental groups) fed with normal rat chow with leached polyethylene for 30 days (n=10) supplemented with polyethylene formulations. Result shows that Group I, LDH levels were measured at 198 ± 1.00 (µmol/L), while ALP levels were 110 ± 2.56 (µmol/L). In contrast, Group II exhibited a slight increase in LDH to 200 ± 3.25 (µmol/L) and ALP to 113 ± 2.11 (µmol/L) at (p<0.05). The elevated LDH levels in Group II suggest potential tissue stress or damage, indicating that leached polyethylene may adversely affect cellular integrity. Similarly, the increase in ALP levels may reflect alterations in liver function or bone metabolism, further suggesting metabolic disturbances associated with polyethylene exposure. The data indicate that leached polyethylene has a measurable impact on serum metabolic markers in Experimental Group II. The slight increases in both LDH and ALP suggest potential adverse effects on tissue health and metabolic processes, possibly related to inflammation or changes in cellular function. The findings from this research highlight the potential physiological impacts of leached polyethylene on serum metabolic markers, indicating a need for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term health implications of exposure to such materials. The results contribute to the understanding of how common plastic materials used mostly in packaging can affect biological systems, emphasizing the importance of evaluating their safety in animal models.