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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.

Aim: The study assessed the effect of oral exposure of toluene on male reproductive parameters. Methodology: Twenty rats (190±10g bwt) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5). Group A (Control) was treated with olive oil (0.5ml), Group B received 31.8mg/kg, Group C received 63.6mg/kg and Group D received 127.2mg/kg. All administrations were by oral gavage for 21 days. Thereafter, the rats were anaesthetized and samples were taken as follows: Blood was used for testosterone assay, caudal epididymides was taken to analyze for sperm count and sperm cell char­acteristics while testes was weighed and prepared for histomorphology. Results: No significant difference in the relative testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, sperm viability, motility and morphology relative to control. Marked reduction (p = 0.001; group C & p = 0.018; group D) in testosterone level occurred in Groups C and D rats treated with 63.6mg/kg and 127.2mg/kg doses of toluene respectively. No anomaly in histoarchitecture of the testes in all the treated rats in comparison with control. Conclusion: Exposure to toluene by oral route may be noxious to male reproductive functions due to the reduction in testosterone level at higher doses.

Portulaca oleracea Linn. has a history of extensive use as a medicinal plant and is a component of the Nigerian ethnomedical pharmacopoeia. Although several studies have been carried out exclusively on the leaves to ascertain the physiological effect, there seems to be dearth of literature on the physiological effect of the stem. This study which was designed to fill this gap investigated the sub-chronic effect of oral administration of chloroform stem extract of P.oleracea (CSEPO) on haematological parameters and plasma activities of some enzymes (Alanine Aminotransferase - ALT, Alkaline Phosphatase - ALP & Aspartate Aminotransferase - AST) and levels of other biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine in male wistar rats. Twenty animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group A(Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil(vehicle) while Groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg body weight of CSEPO respectively for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end, the animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for haematology and plasma biochemical assay. No significant (P > .05) variation occurred in the mean values of ALT, ALP, AST, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, RBC, WBC and differential leucocyte counts relative to the control. There was a highly significant (P < .01) increase in the total platelet count only at the dose of 500mg/kg in comparison with control. Oral administration of CSEPO as used in this study had no adverse effect on haematological and biochemical parameters. Secondly, CSEPO may be a useful remedy in thrombocytopenia, due to its potential to increase platelet count. However, further study is recommended in that regards.

Toxicity of toluene arising from solvent abuse, occupation hazards and environmental pollution has generated a lot of concern in recent times. Young people are getting more involved in the abuse of toluene by deliberate inhalation of toluene-containing substances which may result in high level of exposure to toluene. This abuse may have adverse effect on their health. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of oral exposure to toluene on haematological parameters using male albino rats as model. Twenty animals were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil (vehicle) while groups B, C and D received 31.8, 63.6 and 127.2 mg/kg respectively of toluene for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end of the treatments, the animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for haematological investigations. No significant (p >0.05) variation occurred in the mean values of PCV, haemoglobin concentration, RBC and platelet counts in comparison with the control. There was a significant (p 0.05) change in the total monocyte and eosinophil counts relative to the control. Oral administration of toluene as used in this study may be toxic to health depending on the dose and duration of exposure.