Ann Clin Toxicol | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access
Christopher Edet Ekpenyong* and Utibe Essiet Harry
Department of Physiology, University of Uyo, Nigeria
*Correspondance to: Christopher Edet Ekpenyong
Fulltext PDFThe protective effect of ascorbic acid against gasoline fume –induced oxidative stress and thyroid gland dysfunction was investigated in rats. Thirty-five (18 male and 17 female) rats weighing 200 gm to 250 gm were randomly segregated into five groups (n=7 per group). Rats in group 1 served as unexposed control, while rats in group 2 were exposed to GV alone. Rats in groups 3, 4 and 5 were exposed to Gasoline Vapor (GV) and orally administered ascorbic acid 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg and 280 mg/kg respectively) for 14 days. Thereafter, all animals were sacrificed and blood obtained was used for the determination of serum levels of Triiodothyronine (T3), Tetraiodothyronine (T4), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) using standard methods. Exposure to GV alone significantly (P<0.05) decreased serum levels of T3 and CAT and increased MDA in both male and female rats. Serum levels of T4, TSH significantly increased in male, but decreased in female rats compared to the corresponding values in the control group. The GVexposed thyroid section revealed follicular hypertrophy and hyperplasia, compacted follicles, congested blood vessels and almost extinct colloids. Co-administration of ascorbic acid caused a remarkable improvement in these parameters. Exposure to GV could be associated with oxidative stress and thyroid dysfunction which can be mitigated by the administration of ascorbic acid, a synthetic antioxidant.
Petroleum vapor; Thyroid toxicity; Reactive oxygen species; Ascorbic acid
Edet Ekpenyong C, Essiet Harry U. Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Protects Against Gasoline Fume- Induced Oxidative Stress and Thyroid Dysfunction in Rats. Ann Clin Toxicol. 2019; 2(1): 1012.