Effects of indiscriminate consumption of paracetamol (acetaminophen) on selected biochemical parameters in Rattus norvegicus rats

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a well-known medication for the treatment of pain and fever. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of its indiscriminate consumption on selected biochemical parameters in Rattus norvegicus rats with a view to relate the findings to humans. The data obtained from the human volunteers within the age range of 20-67years revealed that paracetamol (acetaminophen) is indiscriminately consumed mainly by traders as compared with other painkillers in the study communities. Five milliliters of blood specimens were withdrawn from Rattus norvegicus rats administered with 500 mg/2ml paracetamol (acetaminophen) for one day, acute toxicity study (experimental group one), 50 mg/2ml paracetamol (acetaminophen) on daily basis for thirty days, sub-chronic toxicity study (experimental group two), 50mg/2ml paracetamol (acetaminophen) on daily basis for three days, recommended therapeutic dose (experimental group three) and control group respectively. Thereafter, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein and testosterone were measured using a spectrophotometer. The mean values of all the measured biochemical parameters in both experimental group one and two rats revealed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) with experimental group three rats being exception (p>0.05) as compared with that of the control group which may be suggestive of hepatic, renal, inflammatory and spermatogenesis disorders. Though the consumption of this tablet at recommended therapeutic dose was well tolerated by the rats as against its indiscriminate consumption which posed danger on the rats thus it is recommended that this tablet should be taken strictly on the prescription of a physician or health professional.