Volume 15, Issue 1: 2025 - Article 183

Abstract
Unilateral adrenalectomy allows patients indicated for the surgical removal of one of the adrenals (following adrenal neoplasms or other conditions that will lead to hyperaldrenalism) to lead a normal quality life. As part of a long term monitoring programme of the homeostatic status of such adrenalectomized individuals, knowledge of their pathophysiologic and biochemical profile is important. The present study evaluated the effects of unilateral adrenalectomy on the serum biochemical markers of liver and kidney function and serum levels of selected electrolytes in the albino rat model. Twelve female albino rats with a mean body weight of 215.37 ± 3.16 g were used for the study. The rats were randomly assigned to two groups of six rats each. Group 1 was unilaterally adrenalectomized following laparotomy, while laparotomy alone that left the adrenal glands intact was performed on Group 2 rats that were designated sham control group. Three weeks after the surgery, blood samples were collected from both groups and the serum were analyzed for levels of urea, creatinine, chloride, potassium, sodium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), total protein (TP) and albumin. Unilaterally adrenalectomized rats had significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum levels of creatinine, urea and bilirubin when compared to sham control group (with intact adrenals). There were no significant differences between the two groups in all other parameters assayed. The finding in this study suggests that unilaterally adrenalectomized individuals may have a predisposition to kidney dysfunction and biliary disorders, and thus must be regularly monitored.


Keywords: Unilateral adrenalectomy; Albino rat model; Serum biochemical profile; Liver function; Kidney function; Electrolytes.

How to cite this article:
Unamba-Oparah C, Unamba-Oparah IC and Eze GO (2025). Effects of unilateral adrenalectomy on serum levels of liver and kidney function biomarkers and electrolytes in albino rats. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(1): 989 – 997.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     unambaoparah.chioma@mouau.edu.ng      Phone: +2348030942147

Effects of unilateral adrenalectomy on serum levels of liver and kidney function biomarkers and electrolytes in albino rats
Chioma Unamba-Oparah ¹ *, Ihemdirim C. Unamba-Oparah ² and Gift O. Eze ²

1 Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

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