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Toxicity of aluminum using lipid peroxidation product – Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum, liver and brain homogenates in male Wistar albino rats was investigated in this study. A total of eighteen (18) rats of six (6) each in a group were administered 0.38 and 38 mg/kg body weight aluminum while the control group received 0.2ml normal saline for seven and fourteen days respectively. The results from this study show that MDA concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) and non-significantly higher (p>0.05) in 38mg/kg and 0.38mg/kg in serum, liver and brain homogenates after 7 and 14 days of aluminum treatment. However, the MDA concentration was highest in the brain homogenate. The results suggest lipid peroxidation probably due to the generation of free radicals, though need to be investigated further.

Isolated mononuclear leukocytes, when incubated with purified haemoglobin Ao (HbAo), release the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?). Thus, inflammation is believed to play a role in preeclampsia. Leukocytes increase due to inflammatory response. There is also increased hemoglobin production in the PE placenta. The hemoglobin may be released into the placenta blood vessel lumen. In addition, Gene and protein profilingstudies have shown increased expression and accumulation of free fetal hemoglobinin the preeclamptic placenta. Predominantly due to oxidative damage to the placentalbarrier, fetal hemoglobin leaks over to the maternal circulation. Oxidative stress in general, and more specifically fetal hemoglobin-inducedoxidative stress, could play a key role in the pathology of preeclampsia seen both in theplacenta and ultimately in the maternal endothelium.