Evaluation of genotoxic and oxidative stress potential of Ajakanga Landfill Leachate in rats

Genotoxicity and oxidative stress potential of Ajakanga Landfill Leachate (ALL) were investigated in this study. Forty-two male albino rats of the Wistar strain (100 g and 150 g) were divided equally into six groups. Group A (control) animals were given distilled water as drinking water for forty-five days; while groups B-F animals were exposed to 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% leachate respectively via drinking water for forty-five days. The effect of the leachate was assessed on markers of oxidative stress in the liver, kidney and testes of rats; markers of liver function (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined in the serum and the genotoxic effect of the leachate was investigated using micronucleus assay. Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis were also carried out on the leachate sample. Exposure to ALL resulted in increase in the activities of ALT and AST. A significant increase in malondialdehyde level as well as alterations in antioxidant status was observed in the liver, kidney and testes of the rats compared with control. There was also significant increase in micronuclei formation in the bone marrow of rats exposed to the leachate. Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis of the leachate revealed the presence of some heavy metals at high concentrations as well as other toxic constituents and the total number of active bacteria in the leachate sample were also high. In conclusion, ALL induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in rats. This suggests that the leachate may be toxic to humans if exposure occurs.