Abstract
The relationship between Nigerian Bonny Light crude oil (NBLCO) induced hypoglycaemia and endogenous serum insulin concentration; the role of antioxidant vitamin C or E supplementation was the focus of this study. Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into group I, which served as the control, group II, which was oral gavaged 6 ml/kg of NBLCO, groups III and IV, which were in addition to 6 ml/kg of NBLCO supplemented with 9 ml/kg and 1 mg/kg of vitamin E or C, respectively for 28 days. Results showed that NBLCO significantly (p p p p been demonstrated in this study that direct oral ingestion of crude oil (NBLCO) could reduce food intake, body weight and cause hypoglycemia; the hypoglycemia may not be a function of serum insulin concentration. Interestingly, the hazardous effects of NBLCO could be ameliorated with antioxidant vitamin C or E supplementation.
Highlights
The prevalence of crude oil spillages and the attendant contamination is increasing rapidly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with a resultant unrestricted exposure of animals including humans [1] [2] in the environment, as well as the ingestion of petroleum-contaminated food substances ranging from water to aquatic organisms and crops, have been reported to negatively affect animals’ health in diverse ways [3]-[8].Most reports on the toxicological effects of crude oil in relation to its refined products on health of organisms have centered much on the inhalation of petroleum fumes with little or no attention on oral ingestion
The results showed that Nigerian Bonny Light crude oil significantly reduced body weight compared with control (p < 0.05)
Fright, hypothermia and exhaustion are some physical manifestations that may be associated with oil spills [16]; it is reported that crude oil consumption can induce a significant decrease in body and organ weight [17]
Summary
The prevalence of crude oil spillages and the attendant contamination is increasing rapidly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with a resultant unrestricted exposure of animals including humans [1] [2] in the environment, as well as the ingestion of petroleum-contaminated food substances ranging from water to aquatic organisms and crops, have been reported to negatively affect animals’ health in diverse ways [3]-[8]. It is pertinent to note that most of the rural dwellers that indulge in the unorthodox folklore medicine consume crude oil by oral ingestion Apart from this sub-lethal effect from direct crude oil ingestion, crude oil can be indirectly incorporated into the food chain [9] by way of contamination from spillages and other sources, which can result in spectrum of toxic effects. These may include inflammation, derangement in glucose metabolism, lipid profile with ultimate impairment of health status [10] [11]. The chemical used was chloroform from BDH Chemicals Ltd, (Poole, England)
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