Hepatic and Renal Biochemical Profile of Wistar Rats Exposed to Toluene

Toluene is an organic solvent that is widely used in many industrial processes and commerce. It is one of the environmental pollutants frequently associated with occupational hazards. In recent times, young people are becoming more interested in toluene addiction as a result of intentional inhalation of toluene-containing compounds, which can result in high levels of toluene exposure that can be damaging to their health. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of subacute oral exposure of toluene on hepatic and renal biochemical profile (an aspect of health indices) of wistar rats. Fifteen wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil (vehicle) while groups B and C received 63.6 and 127.2 mg/kg respectively of toluene for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end of the treatments, blood samples were taken and the sera were used for analyses of serum biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase - ALT, alkaline phosphatase – ALP, aspartate aminotransferase – AST, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine and blood electrolytes (potassium, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride ions). Sections of liver and kidney samples were taken for histopathological examination. There was no significant (p >0.05) change in the hepatic and renal biochemical parameters of toluene-treated rats relative to the control. The liver and kidney histomorphology of the exposed rats were not different from those of the control. Oral administration of toluene, at the doses and duration used in this study, did not show any toxicity in the liver and kidney of exposed animals.