Nephrotoxicity of long-term occupational exposure to gasoline in El-Minia governorate

ABSTRACT

The current study was carried out to evaluate the nephrotoxic effect of long-term occupational exposure to gasoline in El-Minia governorate. 76 male subjects aging 18-42 years were involved in this study. They were divided into 4 groups control group 1 consists of 20 normal subjects with no history of long-term gasoline exposure or previous history of blood, hepatic or renal disorders, group II consist of 15 gas stations workers for a period of 1 year +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline, group III consists of 21 gas stations workers for a period of 5 years +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline, and group IV consists of 20 gas stations workers for a period of 10 years +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline. All subjects sere investigated for blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [S.Cr.], beta[2] microglobulin [beta[2]MG] and cystatin C. The levels BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group II were within normal with no significant differences when compared to those of group I. The values BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group III were significantly elevated when compared to those of groups I and II. The levels BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group IV were significantly elevated when compared to those of group I, II and III. In group III, there was a positive correlation between S.Cr. to the level of beta[2] MG. Also, there was a positive correlation of the level of S.Cr. to the levels of beta[2] MG, and cystatin C among the subjects of group IV. Long-term exposure of the gas station workers to gasoline may carry the risk of nephrotoxicity. This raises the importance of increasing the safety protective measures at these stations, and to develop a more safe fuel in the near future