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Cardiovascular function and plasma lipid profiles in rats exposed to petroleum products and water contaminated with hydrocarbons
Author(s) -
Anigbogu Chikodi Nnanyelu,
Ojo Olumide Alaba
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.812.24
Subject(s) - blood pressure , medicine , cholesterol , petroleum , diesel fuel , kerosene , toxicology , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Diffuse and chronic exposure to petroleum products and contamination is increasing both in the rural areas and urban areas especially with increased use of petroleum products for power generation in domestic and industrial environment. Acute exposure also occurs following spillages, blowouts, and pipeline vandalisation and tanker accidents. This study therefore investigated the effects of diesel, kerosene, petrol and their water soluble fractions on cardiovascular function and lipid profile and organ weights in experimental animals. Contaminated water and petroleum products were administered via the oral route to various groups of Sprague Dawley rats for three weeks. The rats were anaesthetised and cannulated for recording blood pressure and heart rate while samples of blood were taken from the venous catheter for plasma lipid profiling. The results showed that while most petroleum products had no significant effect on systolic blood pressure, the diesel‐water fraction (WSFD) lowered systolic blood pressure (80 ±10.6mmHg vs. 120±4.9mmHg), increased pulse pressure and heart rate (p<0.05). Diastolic pressure was reduced by most fractions (p<0.05). It was also observed that total cholesterol, HDL‐ cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol where lowered while plasma triglycerides increased. The organ weight index was increased. These results suggest that acute exposure to these petroleum products and their water soluble components may affect aspects of cardiovascular function and other organs of the body. This work was supported by University of Lagos, Postgraduate intramural fund.