Evaluation of Biochemical Changes in Rabbits Exposed to Sodium Cyanide

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical changes in Rabbits due to Sodium Cyanide exposure.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Animal House, Applied and Environmental Biology Department, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, between April 2020 and November 2020.

Methodology: A total of forty eight (48) rabbits as indicated by Mead’s formula constituted the sample size. The study was divided into three groups including the control group. With the exception of the control rabbits, others were treated daily with 0.05 mg/kg sodium cyanide for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days respectively. Cardiac blood samples were extracted from the rabbits using standard procedure. Biochemical parameters investigated include thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, aspartete aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. Data were expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical differences between groups were computed using Graph pad prism 7.0 version developed by Graph pad software, San Siago, Califonia, USA. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significance between groups was taken at p<.05.

Results: Biochemical results showed significant (p<.05) increase in levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, AST, ALT, total and conjugated bilirubin in day 30, 60 and 90 respectively as compared to control. Significant (p < 0.05) decrease was also observed in thyroxine, triiodothyronine, total protein and albumin concentrations following treatment with the cyanide.

Conclusion: Exposure to 0.05 mg/kg sodium cyanide may have harmful effect on biochemical and parameters due to damages done to organs such as liver and the thyroid gland.