EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES ACTIVITIES AND LIPID PEROXIDATION PRODUCT IN THE LUNGS OF ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

Formaldehyde, a highly toxic substance is used widely as a tissue preservative in laboratories, as a sterilizing agent, and as a disinfectant, and it is considered an occupational indoor air pollutant because of its volatile property. Exposure to formaldehyde mostly affect the lungs and mucous membrane, which include mouth, nose, and eyes. The study aim to investigate the effect of formaldehyde inhalation on antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation product in the lungs of Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups A, B, C, and D. Group A (control group) was not exposed to formaldehyde gas while Group B was exposed to formaldehyde gas for a duration of 2 hours daily, Group C for a duration of 4 hours daily and Group D for a duration of 8 hours daily all for a period of 4 weeks respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia and the lung tissues were harvested, placed in phosphate buffer and thereafter sent to the laboratory for analysis of catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 8.0.1. Results were presented as mean ± standard error of mean. Analysis of variance was used to compare the means of tests and control value while post hoc test was done using Dunnette's multiple comparison test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data obtained from this research indicated that formaldehyde exposure for 2 hours produced oxidative stress in the lung tissue of Wistar rats, while rats exposed to formaldehyde for 4 hours and 8 hours did not show oxidative stress.