title: Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats exposed to premium motor spirit fumes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deliberate and regular exposure to premium motor spirit fumes is common and could be a risk factor for liver disease in those who are occupationally exposed. A possible association between premium motor spirit fumes and plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol using a rodent model could provide new insights in the pathology of diseases where cellular dysfunction is an established risk factor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of premium motor spirit fumes on lipids and lipoproteins in workers occupationally exposed to premium motor spirit fumes using rodent model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five Wister albino rats (of both sexes) were used for this study between the 4(th) of August and 7(th) of September, 2010. The rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group 1 rats were not exposed to premium motor spirit fumes (control group), group 2 rats were exposed for 1 hour daily, group 3 for 3 hours daily, group 4 for 5 hours daily and group 5 for 7 hours daily. The experiment lasted for a period of 4 weeks. Blood samples obtained from all the groups after 4 weeks of exposure were used for the estimation of plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein- cholesterol and low density lipoprotein- cholesterol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed significant increase in means of plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels (P<0.05). The mean triglyceride and total body weight were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the exposed group when compared with the unexposed. The plasma level of high density lipoprotein, the ratio of low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein and the ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein did not differ significantly in exposed subjects when compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed that frequent exposure to petrol fumes may be highly deleterious to the liver cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ogbevire L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Aberare
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Okuonghae
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mukoro
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Dirisu
authors.forename: Favour
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Osazuwa
authors.forename: Elvis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Odigie
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Omoregie