EFFECT OF CARROT AND WHEAT GERM OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON RATS EXPOSED TO BENZENE

Saleh, Zeinab A.; Ibrahim, Khadiga S.; Farrag, A. H.; Shaban, Eman E.

doi:10.21608/jfds.2007.204810

EFFECT OF CARROT AND WHEAT GERM OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON RATS EXPOSED TO BENZENE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Food Sci. and Nutrition Dept., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

² Environmental and Occupational Medicine Dept. National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

³ Pathology Dept., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/jfds.2007.204810

Abstract

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It gives rise to the production of oxygen radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are the means of the metabolic activation of benzene and are the source of its toxicity. This study was conducted to assess the ability of some food stuffs such as carrot and wheat germ oil to protect against benzene toxicity.Experiments were carried out on albino rats injected with benzene (0.5ml/kg body weight ip) and given diet supplemented with carrot and wheat germ oil. The dietary consumption and growth rate were measured. Several biochemical parameters representing antioxidant status were followed. The results showed that food intake and body weight gain of rats injected with benzene were significantly lower than that of control rats. Plasma malondialdehyde was increased and the levels of vitamins A & E and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes were decreased in rats injected with benzene. Supplementation with carrot and wheat germ oil caused a significant decrease in plasma malondialdehyde and significant increase in the level of vitamins and the antioxidant enzymes. The histopathological examination of the liver tissues of animals injected with benzene showed different lesions but supplementation with carrot and wheat germ oil caused an improvement in liver as compared with the benzene group. This study indicates that the toxic effect of benzene exposure can be partially corrected by food ingredients such as carrot and wheat germ oil. It is recommended to be given to individuals who are exposed to environments polluted with benzene.

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