Abstract:
The effect of vitamin A on weight-loss, growth-depression and haematotoxicity
associated with gasoline vapours exposure was assessed in male and female
Wistar albino rats. The rats were exposed to ungraded concentrations of
gasoline vapours (6 h daily) for 20 weeks. Vitamin A (retinol) at prophylactic
dosage (400 IU kg-1 day-1) was orally administered
to the rats in the last two weeks of exposure. The levels of haemoglobin
(Hb), haematocrit or Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cells (RBC),
weight gain and growth rate in the male and female rats exposed to the
vapours were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared respectively to
the levels obtained for male and female control rats. On the other hand,
the levels of White Blood Cells (WBC) in the male and female test rats
were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared respectively with the level
obtained for male and female control rats. These observations indicated
that exposure to gasoline vapours produced haematotoxicity, weight loss
and growth depression in rats. However, administration of vitamin A was
observed to produce a significant regain (p<0.05) in weight-loss, growth-depression
and haematotoxicity observed to be associated with exposure to gasoline
vapours, although the females were noted to respond more favourably than
the males. This suggests that vitamin A may be used to reverse or prevent
weight-loss, growth-depression and haematotoxicity in subjects exposed
to gasoline vapours.
F.E. Uboh, M.I. Akpanabiatu, I.J. Atangwho, P.E. Ebong and I.B. Umoh, 2008. Effect of Vitamin A on Weight-Loss and Haematotoxicity Associated
with Gasoline Vapours Exposure in Wistar Rats. International Journal of Pharmacology, 4: 40-45.
Subscribe Today 
