Histomorphological Assessment of Lungs Architecture in Rat Model Exposed to Petroleum Product Fumes

Petroleum products are used for various purposes owing to their importance; however, the need for their constant application has led to persistent exposure to humans and the environment. This study seeks to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to these products on the histoarchitecture of the lungs in the rat model. A total of forty adult Wistar rats with weights ranging from 158 g to 230 g were procured. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten animals each. Group CT animals (Control) were exposed to fresh air only for twenty weeks. The Test Groups, Group P animals were exposed to 100 ml of petrol fumes between four and twenty weeks, Group K animals were exposed to 100 ml of kerosene fumes between four and twenty weeks, while Group D animals were exposed to 100 ml of diesel fumes between four and twenty weeks. The normal histomorphology of the lungs as seen in the control group showed clearly the bronchioles, pulmonary alveoli, and blood vessels. Generally, prolonged exposure to petroleum products results in a number of respiratory complications. There were different histoarchitectural changes seen in the test groups. Such changes include congested blood vessels with distorted pulmonary alveoli, distorted, dilated alveoli, hemorrhagic and inflammatory cells. The damage seen on the histoarchitecture of the lungs is characterized by the breakdown of fats and proteins, which weakens the structure of the lung lining and may eventually lead to the development of chronic diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Key Words: petroleum products, histoarchitecture, lung disease, prolonged exposure, fumes