Toxicological Assessment of the Effects of Crude Oil-Contaminated Catfish on the Enzymatic and Physiologic Parameters

Crude oil is a heterogeneous mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, asphaltenes, and trace inorganic sulfur, nitrogen, and heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of consuming crude oil-contaminated catfish on hematological, serum electrolyte, and hepatic parameters in rats. Crude oil was used to contaminate juvenile catfish at concentrations of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0%. The contaminated fish were processed into feed and administered to rats over 30 days. Results demonstrated significant, dose-dependent adverse effects. Hematological analysis revealed a decline in hematocrit, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), alongside leukocytosis, indicating anemia and an inflammatory immune response. Serum electrolyte homeostasis was disrupted, marked by hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypomagnesemia. Liver and kidney function were severely compromised, evidenced by elevated levels of bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and the activities of hepatic enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and acid phosphatase (ACP), coupled with reductions in total protein and albumin. The findings conclusively show that dietary exposure to crude oil-contaminated fish induces systemic toxicity, highlighting a significant public health risk for populations reliant on contaminated aquatic food sources and underscoring the urgent need for environmental remediation and continuous monitoring of petroleum pollutants.