The Effect of Edible Clay (Èkó) Suspension on Serum Lipid Profile of Normal Female Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT: Studies have shown that edible clay contains metal contaminants, and its ingestion may be toxic to the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible clay on serum lipid profile of female Wistar rats. Forty (40) healthy female Wistar rats, weighing 150 - 200 g, were sorted into four groups named group 1 - 4 with 10 rats each (n = 10). Group 1 was the control and orally received distilled water daily, while groups 2–4 received various doses of edible clay suspension ranging from 200, 800 and 1600 mg/kg respectively, through the same route for 28 days. Five rats were sacrificed from group 1 - 4 on the fourth week and blood samples were collected for serum lipid profile analysis. Results obtained showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the serum total cholesterol, serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration, but no significant change in triglyceride following the treatment with different doses of edible clay (Èkó) for four weeks, when compared to the control. Edible clay showed hyperlipidemic activities such as increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentration