Impact of gasoline inhalation on some neurobehavioural characteristics of male rats

Abstract

BackgroundThis paper examines closely and compares the potential hazards of inhalation of two types of gasoline (car fuel). The first type is the commonly use leaded gasoline and the second is the unleaded type enriched with oxygenate additives as lead substituent in order to raise the octane number. The impacts of gasoline exposure on Na+, K+-ATPase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in the cerebral cortex, and monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and hypothalamus were evaluated. The effect of gasoline exposure on the aggressive behaviour tests was also studied.ResultsThe present results revealed that gasoline inhalation induced significant fluctuations in the levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters in the studied brain regions. This was concomitant with a decrease in Na+, K+-ATPase activity and total protein content. Moreover, the group exposed to the unleaded gasoline exhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in AChE and superoxide dismutase activities. These physiological impairments were accompanied with a higher tendency towards aggressive behaviour as a consequence to gasoline inhalation.ConclusionIt is concluded from the present work that chronic exposure to either the leaded or the unleaded gasoline vapours impaired the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and other biochemical parameters in different brain areas and modulated several behavioural aspects related to aggression in rats.

Protective Effect of Vitamins C and E against Gasoline Vapors Induced Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Male Rats

“…Similar results were obtained in rats treated with gasoline vapors [19], in rats treated with Nigerian Bonny light crude oil [1,2], in rats treated with cypermethrin [20] and in rats treated with Doxorubicin [21]. It was found that treating rats with crude oil was associated with anemia of the haemolytic type [18,22].…”

“…It is used as fuel for automobiles and some electricity-generating machines [1,2]. Human population is directly or indirectly exposed to this pollutant in the course of their day-to-day activities [3].…”

Hydrocarbon Pollution: Effects on Living Organisms, Remediation of Contaminated Environments, and Effects of Heavy Metals Co-Contamination on Bioremediation

“…It was also found that the diesel exhaust particles contain ten times more extractable organic matter than the standard exhaust material generated by forklift engines. A similar type of study conducted by Kinawy (2009) revealed that the inhalation of leaded or unleaded (containing aromatics and oxygenated compounds) gasoline vapors by rats impaired the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and other biochemical parameters in different areas of the rats' brains. Likewise, several behavioral changes causing aggression in rats were observed.…”

Recent advances in occupational and environmental health hazards of workers exposed to gasoline compounds

“…In many of these studies, biochemical markers of oxidative stress were found to increase, while antioxidant enzymes decreased significantly. Animals exposed to gasoline vapor had significantly elevated levels of lipid peroxides and a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in brain and liver [89,90]. The underlying neuropathology associated with oxidative stress may include non-specific cell membrane interactions, leading to impaired membrane Na + /K + /ATPase activity [91] and modulation of multiple neurotransmitter systems ( Figure 5).…”

“…Kinawy [89] reported significant fluctuation in levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) and other biochemical parameters (sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na + / K + /ATPase), superoxide dismutase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), protein (Pr), GSH, lipid peroxidase) in different brain areas of animals exposed to gasoline vapor. Several reports support that induction of oxidative stress by metabolites from gasoline constituents underlies the pathogenesis of its neurotoxic effects.…”