Gestational Exposure to Bonny Light Crude Oil alters Renal Function Indices, Cardiac Muscle Integrity, and Oxidative Stress Indices in Offspring of Wistar Rats

In this study, the cardio-renal health of offspring of mother exposed to bonny light crude oil (BLCO) during gestation was assessed in Wistar rats. Ten pregnant rats were divided into 2 groups (n=5). Distilled water (0.75 mL/Kg/days) was administered to group 1 while BLCO (0.75 mL BLCO/Kg/day) was administered to group 2. The administration was done orally from gestation day 1-21. Cardiac and renal MDA, Superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were assessed as measures of oxidative stress. Serum and urine creatinine and creatinine clearance were assessed as indices of renal function. Serum creatinine kinase was used as an index of cardiac integrity. Histopathology and histomorphometry of the heart and kidney were also assessed. Data were subjected to Two-way ANOVA to assess the interaction between sex and treatment. The result showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in body weight at birth, postnatal days 21 (weaning) and 3 months of postnatal life in the male and female offspring of BLCO group. Cardiac and renal Catalase and SOD activities, urine creatinine, and creatinine clearance were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the female offspring of BLCO group. The cardiac MDA, renal MDA and serum creatinine kinase activities were significantly raised (P < 0.05) in both male and female offspring of BLCO treated dams. Histopathology results also suggest pathological changes in the heart (including fibres fragmentation and disintegration, and loss of striation) and kidney (including atrophic glomeruli, some glomeruli appeared inflamed with occlusion of the Bowman’s space, and occasional hemorrhagic reaction.) of the male and female offspring of BLCO treated rats. In conclusion, the result suggests an alteration in renal and cardiac function and increased oxidative stress in these tissues.

Key Words: bonny light crude oil, cardiac, renal, oxidative stress, offspring, environmental pollution