An Investigation on Some Hepatic Enzymes and Haematological Variables among Alcoholic Volunteers in Kadima District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Aim: This research work investigated the impact of the differences in duration of alcoholic beverage consumption on hepatic and heamatological parameters.

Methods: Fifty (50) healthy male volunteer subjects were recruited for this study from Kadima district of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria and were coded according to the years of alcohol consumption: 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, and 22-28 for groups B, C, D and E respectively with each having ten (10) volunteers. Group A was christened as the control having human subjects that have neither drank Burukutu nor factory- based lager beer. Full blood count was done using haematology analyser while spectrophometric method was used to assay for the activities of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT as well as various levels/concentrations of TB, DB, TP, urea and creatinine.

Results: Result obtained showed that AST and ALP were raised (p < 0.05) in all the groups when compared to the control. ALT was elevated in group E only while GGT was increased (p < 0.05) in groups D and E. Total and direct bilirubin were both elevated (p < 0.05) in groups B, C and E but equal control in group D. Total protein was higher in groups B and C but lowered in groups D and E relative control. Concentrations of urea was statistically significant (p < 0.05) in groups C and E. Creatinine was only statistically significant in group C but equal control in other groups. Results of the haematological parameters showed that RBC and WBC were reduced in all the groups’ relative control. Hb concentration was increased (p < 0.05) in groups C, D and E. PCV was found to be reduced in groups B, C and D when compared to the control.

Conclusion: This study has shown that prolong ingestion of local brew impacts negatively on hepatic biomarkers as well as some haematological indexes like WBC, RBC and PCV.