Effect of Sub-acute Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds on Biochemical Indices in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbons’ exposure has been associated with the development of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, allergies, cancers, immune toxicities and reproductive problems. However, little is known about their effects on metabolic dysregulation especially glucose homeostasis. This study therefore investigated the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on glycemic dysregulation in Wistar rats. A total of 30 adult albino rats were used and grouped into 5 groups of 6 rats each. The rats were individually exposed to 5%v/v of VOCs for a period of four weeks. The effects on body weight lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, fasting plasma insulin, β-cell function, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers were evaluated and histological studies was carried out. The result indicated significant (p<0.05) increase in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in all VOCs exposed rats compared to control rats. Moreover, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in SOD activity of VOCs exposed rats compared with control rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly (p<0.05) high with significantly (p<0.05) low catalase activity in control rats compared to all VOCs exposed rats. Level of Inflammatory markers IL-6, VEGF and TNFα were significantly high in all VOCs exposed rats with significant (p<0.05) increase in insulin resistance and β cell dysfunction compared to control rats. Histological examination of pancreas revealed changes in the cyto-architecture of pancreas of all VOCs exposed rats except toluene exposed rats. Therefore, exposure to benzene, hexane and xylene components of crude oil could cause glycemic dysregulation.