Effect of Bony Light Crude Oil (BLCO) Contaminated Feed on Cardiovascular Integrity and Risk Factors in Wistar Rats

The effect of crude oil contaminated feed on cardiovascular integrity and risk factors in wistar rats was studied. 35 Wistar rats of similar weight were randomly divided into 7 groups as follows; Group 1 control (normal chow), Group 2 (Treated with 3.88g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 3 (Treated with 7.75g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 4 (Treated with 15.51g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 5 (Treated with 32.01g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 6 (Treated with 62.02g/kg crude oil mixed meal), and Group 7 (myocardial infarct-induced group). Treatments in various groups were administered for 8 weeks (exposure period) and were later withdrawn for 2 weeks (withdrawal period). The blood pressures (Systolic, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) were recorded in both phases, 5 ml of blood was taken from all groups via cardiac puncture in both phases for analysis of lipid profiles. Cardiovascular Risk Indices (Castelli Risk index I & II, Atherogenic index of plasma, and atherogenic coefficient) were extrapolated and calculated. Results from various laboratory analyses were statistically analysed using ANOVA (SPSS) and presented in tables and charts with level of significance at P ≤0.05. Blood pressure estimates and lipid parameters all presented marked increase during the exposure phase of six weeks. Similarly, cardiovascular risk indices were aggravated significantly (P ≤0.05) during the same period. In the withdrawal phase, virtually all the above measured parameters were reversed and the corresponding biological effects ameliorated. The implications of the above extrapolates in both phases indicated that crude oil exposure could trigger lipid peroxidation, electrolyte imbalance, cellular disruptions, and can be highly detrimental and delirious to cells while withdrawal from the contaminated meal was observed to reverse the entire scenarios. In conclusion, crude oil contaminated feed on cardiovascular integrity and risk factors could be a major pre-disposing scenario for biologic derangement and down-regulation of cellular bio-functions in living organisms at estuaries and among riverine dwellers.