Comparative Effect of Vitamins A and E on Gasoline Vapours-Induced Haematotoxicity and Weight-Loss in Male Rats

摘要

Comparative effect of vitamins A and E on gasoline vapours haematotoxicity, growth-depression and weight-loss was assessed in male Wistar albino rats. The rats were exposed to gasoline vapours (17.8+-2.6 cm~3/h/m~3/day), 6 h/day, 6 days/week for 20 weeks. Vitamins A (retinol) and E(alpha-tocopherol) at prophylactic dosage (400 and 200 IU/kg/day, respectively) were orally administered to the rats separately, in the last 2 weeks of exposure. The levels of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit or Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cells (RBC), growth-rate and weight-gain in the rats exposed to the vapours were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared, respectively to the levels obtained for control rats. On the other hand, the levels of White Blood Cells (WBC) in the test rats were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared, respectively with the level obtained for male control rats. These observations indicate that exposure to gasoline vapours may cause haematotoxicity, growth-depression and weight-loss in male rats.