Comparative Nephrotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity Effects of Kerosene, Gasoline, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Biomass Fuel Exposure on Male Albino Rats
Ude Tochukwu *
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe Univerisity, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Meludu Samuel Chukwuemeka
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe Univerisity, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. and Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. and Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.
Dioka Chudi Emmanuel
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe Univerisity, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chikezie Onyebuchi Desmond
Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. and Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Awalu Chimezie Joseph
Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ibekailo Sylvester Nnaemeka
Department of Physiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The effects of Kerosene, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas and biomass fuel exposure on biomarkers of kidney and liver were investigated in male wistar rats. Fifty adult male wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups of ten animals each. Rats in group A served as control (exposed to fresh air). Group B, C, D and E were exposed to inhalation of kerosene, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas and biomass fuel (wood smoke) respectively. All the exposures were done using whole body exposure chambers 70 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm measurement for six weeks, 6 days per week. Five millilitres of blood sample were collected and serum extracted at the end of six weeks. The serum concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and activities AST, ALT, γGT were determined using Cobas reagent kits manufactured by Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Sandhofer Strasse 116, D-68305 Mannheim, Germany. Values were analysed statistically using SPSS version 23.0. The result shows significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid of test groups relative to control (p<0.05), though the effect appear to be more pronounced with exposure to kerosene, gasoline and biomass fuel. The exposure also led to significant increase in activities of AST, ALT and γGT (p<0.05). These results suggest that repeated exposure to kerosene, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas and biomass fumes may elicit hepatic and renal toxicity, thereby impairing the normal liver and kidney function.
Keywords: Kerosene, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, biomass fuel, biomarkers, exposure.