Experimental Investigation of Hepatocellular Changes in Wistar Rats Exposed to Cabalt-Enriched Beer: Hepatocellular Effects of Cabalt-Enriched Beer in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and exposure to metallic contaminants have been associated with progressive liver injury and metabolic dysfunction. This study investigated hepatocellular changes in Wistar rats exposed to cobalt-enriched beer. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 168-193 g were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F) containing five rats each (n=5). Groups A-D received graded concentrations of cobalt chloride (0.01-0.04 g/100 mL CoCl_₂) in Budweiser® lager beer, Group E received beer only, while Group F served as the control. Treatments were administered via oral gavage for 45 days while, body weight changes, gross pathological findings, and histopathological alterations of liver tissues were evaluated using standard Hematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques after experimentation. Results showed significant dose-dependent reductions in body weight gain among cobalt-treated groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Gross examination of liver tissues revealed enlargement, paleness, vascular congestion, and pinpoint hemorrhages in cobalt-treated rats. Histopathological evaluation demonstrated progressive hepatocellular degeneration characterized by vascular congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, fatty changes, sinusoidal dilatation, and hepatocyte necrosis, particularly in Groups C and D exposed to higher cobalt concentrations. The beer-only group showed only mild vascular congestion and slight hepatocellular degeneration, while the control group maintained normal hepatic architecture. The findings indicate that cobalt enrichment potentiates alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity through mechanisms likely involving oxidative stress, inflammatory activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study highlights the potential public health risks associated with metallic contaminants in alcoholic beverages and emphasizes the need for strict quality control and monitoring of cobalt exposure in beverage production systems.