EFFECTS OF PETROL CONTAMINATED DIET AND WATER ONGLUCOSE, LIVER GLYCOGEN, PLASMA LACTATE AND LIPID PROFILE IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Exposure to petrol have been shown to cause detrimental health effects. Literature is sparse on whether exposure to petrol causes metabolic disorders. This study investigated the effects of petrol contaminated diet andwater on blood glucose, liver glycogen, plasma lactate, triglycerides and lipid profile in male Wistar rats. The study was divided into two phases. Phase one study consisted of 15 male Wistar rats divided into three groups (n = 5/group). Groups 1-3 were given distilled water, petrol-contaminated diet (20 mL petrol/200 g rodent chow PCD), and petrol-contaminated water (0.5 mL/kg PCW) orally and respectively for .two weeks. In the phase two study, 15 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 5/group), animals in groups 1-3 received distilled water, petrol contaminated diet, and petrol-contaminated water orally and respectively for four weeks.At the end of the experiment, fasting blood glucose, liver glycogen, plasma lactate, triglycerides and lipid profie were measured.The results of this study showed that the administration of petrol contaminated diet and water caused significant increase in plasma lactate levels, triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)and a significant reduction in liver glycogen and high density lipoprotein( HDL) in male Wistar rats. In conclusion, the study revealed that, exposure of rats to petrol contaminated diet and water caused changes in lipid profile, altered glucose and lipid metabolism in male Wistar rats. Exposure to petrol should therefore be restricted or avoided.