1-Hydroxypyrene Levels in Blood Samples of Rats After Exposure to Generator Fumes

• Published in: Biomarkers in Cancer 2013-01, Vol.2013 (5), p.1-6
• Main Authors: Ifegwu, Clinton, Igwo-Ezikpe, Miriam N., Anyakora, Chimezie, Osuntoki, Akinniyi, Oseni, Kafayat A., Alao, Eragbae O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrolysis; Liquid chromatography; Original Research; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• ISSN: 1179-299X; 1179-299X
• DOI: 10.4137/BIC.S10759

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major component of fuel generator fumes. Carcinogenicity of these compounds has long been established. In this study, 37 Swiss albino rats were exposed to generator fumes at varied distances for 8 hours per day for a period of 42 days and the level of 1-hydroxypyrene in their blood was evaluated. This study also tried to correlate the level of blood 1-hyroxypyrene with the distance from the source of pollution. Plasma was collected by centrifuging the whole blood sample followed by complete hydrolysis of the conjugated 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide to yield the analyte of interest, 1-hydroxypyrene, which was achieved using beta glucuronidase. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector was used to determine the 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in the blood samples. The mobile phase was water:methanol (12:88 v/v) isocratic run at the flow rate of 1.2 mL/min with CI8 stationary phase at 250 run. After 42 days of exposure, blood concentration level of 1-hydroxypyrene ranged from 34 μg/mL to 26.29 μg/mL depending on the distance from source of exposure. The control group had no 1-hydroxypyrene in their blood. After the period of exposure, percentage of death correlated with the distance from the source of exposure. Percentage of death ranged from 56% to zero depending on the proximity to source of pollution.