RESUMO
Background: Exposure to gasoline vapor is known to produce oxidative stress and induce pulmonary diseases. Fish oil was found to play a role in the prevention of chronic lung diseases through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Aim of the study: To study the role of fish oil in lung changes induced by gasoline vapor inhalation in male adult albino rats
Materials and methods: Eighty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of 20 rats each: control, gasoline-exposed, gasoline+fish oil-concomitant, and fish oil-treated groups. The rats of the control group were subjected to fresh air, whereas rats of the gasoline-exposed group were exposed to gasoline vapor for 10 weeks. Rats of the concomitant group received 0.5 ml/kg fish oil orally daily while being exposed to gasoline vapor. Rats of the fish oil-treated group only received fish oil. Right and left lungs were processed for light and electron microscopic examination, respectively
Results: Lung tissues of gasoline vapor-exposed rats showed collapsed alveoli, thick interalveolar septa, inflammatory cell infiltration, intra-alveolar exudates, hemorrhage, fibrosis, and hypocellularity. Rats of the concomitant group showed a marked reduction in these pathological features
Conclusion: There is evidence that fish oil can ameliorate lung changes induced by gasoline vapor inhalation