Inflammatory and proapoptotic effects of inhaling gasoline fumes on the lung and ameliorative effects of fenugreek seeds

Abstract Impacts of inhaling gasoline fumes on the lungs of adult male rats and the alleviating role of fenugreek seeds were evaluated. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, unexposed control and fenugreek groups, gasoline exposed groups for 6 h/6 day/week for 10 weeks with and without supplementation of fenugreek seed powder in food (5% w/w). Rats exposed to gasoline fumes showed significant elevation in lung tumor necrosis factor-α, as an inflammatory marker, and the proapoptotic marker Bax with a reduction in the antiapoptotic marker Bcl2. Moreover, remarkable elevations in transforming growth factor-β1, collagen and hydroxyproline were observed as fibrotic markers. Lung oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxides, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl) increased significantly along with marked decrease in total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. Additionally, marked decreases in white and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin content, platelet count, accompanied by elevated red cell distribution width percentage were observed, supporting the inflammatory status. Histopathological changes represented by hematoxylin&eosin, immunohistochemistry staining for Bax&Bcl2, and transmission electron microscopy supported the negative impacts of gasoline fumes compared to the control group. Fenugreek seeds supplementation with gasoline exposure showed pronounced alleviation of lung biochemical and histopathological changes compared to the gasoline-exposed group.