Biochemical and histopathological effects of melamine on liver, spleen, heart and testes in male rats

This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effect of different melamine doses (5000, 10000, 15000 and 20000 ppm), supplemented orally in the diet for 28 days to male rats, on biochemical parameters and the histopathology of liver, testes, spleen. The complete blood count (CBC), serum proteins, serum bilirubin, serum liver enzymes, sodium dodecyle sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of serum proteins, histopathological examinations of four organs (liver, spleen, heart and testes) were investigated. The CBC showed non significant changes in the melamine supplemented groups. Liver function enzymes were slightly affected. Serum protein was decreased and serum bilirubin was increased. The SDS-PAGE showed induction of two new high molecular weight bands and another low molecular weight band as a result of melamine supplementation. The histopathological examination of the four organs under study showed adverse pathological signs according to the melamine dose.