HEPATOTOXIC EFFECTS OF HONEY AND SACCHARIN ON LIVER FUNCTION IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The liver is the site at which many drugs are removed from the circulation and subsequently metabolized and excreted. By virtue of its position astride the portal circulation the liver is exposed to greater concentrations of orally administered sweeteners such as saccharin and honey (Hellerstein, 2002). The liver has a wide range of functions including detoxification of various metabolites, protein. Synthesis and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion (Tortoraet al., 2008). The effect of sweeteners are not only associated with excess caloric intake, but also a component of sweeteners may have an impact on the development of diseases. Interestingly the sweeteners, saccharin and honey were found to be associated with increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease (Johnson et al., 2007).

The manufacturing process for sugars often eliminates many healthy components such as protein, vitamins, minerals, organic acids and Nitrogen elements. Honey doesn’t go through this type of process and is usually only subjected to minimal heating (Nicole, 2013). Honey contains other beneficial ingredients that have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that aren’t contained in sugar. Although, honey does have more calories, many people use less of itsbecause its sweeter. Honey has a glycemic index that is lower than sugar this means its absorbed at a slower rate compared to sugar (Nicole, 2013).

Most types of honey contains B1, B2, B3, B5,B6 and C vitamins. It also has choline which is important for cell membrane growth. Acetylcholine is also found in honey and it works as a neurotransmitter. The glucose in honey can be quickly absorbed (Blakely et al., 2000). The single most important reason to administered honey is because of its many health benefits. It contains many minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium chloride, phosphate, sulphur and iron. Besides sugars such as sucrose, saccharin and honey is loaded with polyphenols that act as antioxidants substances that neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are formed through normal metabolic processes that are known to worsen many diseases, including chronic liver disease (Vandenberg et al., 2008).

The use of sweeteners such as saccharin and honey in liver function does not produce a corresponding reduction. It has been established that stimulate sucrose uptake in a dose dependent manner (Tonkset al., 2003). Honey is considered by many to be the world’s oldest sweeteners. The health benefits of honey have been noted by many people over the centuries. Even the ancient philosopher, Aristole, wrote about the many nutritional and medicinal benefits of honey. Most people use sweeteners every day. Honey has been associated with improved liver health and a reduced risk of liver disease (Nicole, 2013).

Saccharin is an artificial sweetener with effectively no food energy which is about 300-400 times as sweet as sucrose or table sugar, but has a bitter or metabolic after taste, especially at high concentrations. Saccharin is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of piroxicam, tenoxican and meloxicam (Conis, 2010)

1.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

This research gives vital information about evaluation of liver functions using some selected sweeteners like saccharin and honey. Although increasing consumption of sweeteners is recognized as a significant public health concern about the safety doses of daily sucrose, saccharin and honey administration and the uniqueness of the techniques employed and the empirical materials chosen to carry out this research scientifically as creates a more relevance solution to this research.

The hypothesize with increasing daily dietary doses of this sweeteners, more hepatic injuries produced not only at the metabolic level but also at the ultra-structural hepatic tissue changes (Blakely et al, 2000).

1.2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research is written to cover a wide aspect of various steps and materials required to investigate the liver function of albino rats using some selected sweeteners (Berg et al.,2006).

1.3 AIMOF THE STUDY

The aim of this research study is to evaluate Hepatoxicity following oral administration of Honey and Saccharin in male wistar rats.

1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of study include;

1. To determine ALT in rats orally administered graded concentration of Saccharin for 33 days at 50mg/kg.

2. To determine Alanine transaminase (ALT) in rats orally administered graded concentration of Saccharin for 33 days at 100mg/kg

3. To determine AST in rats orally administered graded concentration of honey for 33days at 100mg/kg

4. To determine AST in rats orally administered graded concentration of honey for 33 days at 200mg/kg.

5. To evaluate the histopathology of the liver.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

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