Exposure to volatile gasoline fumes is prevalent in petrol stations and congested urban areas, and it has been associated with oxidative stress and respiratory damage. This study investigates the effects of gasoline fume inhalation on oxidative stress biomarkers and pulmonary histoarchitecture in adult female Wistar rats. Twenty Wistar rats (130–210 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5): a control group and three exposure groups subjected to gasoline fume inhalation for 4, 6, and 8 hours daily for 14 days in a controlled exposure chamber. Oxidative stress markers were assessed spectrophotometrically, while lung tissue alterations were evaluated histopathologically. Results showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P<0.05) across all exposure groups, indicating enhanced lipid peroxidation. Conversely, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were markedly reduced (P<0.05),suggesting compromised antioxidant defense. Histological examination revealed dose-dependent pulmonary damage, including alveolar shrinkage, inflammatory infiltrates, and bronchiolar epithelial degeneration. These findings highlight the toxic effects of gasoline fume inhalation, emphasizing the need for environmental regulations and protective measures to mitigate respiratory hazards in exposedpopulations.
Wali et al. (Tue,) studied this question.