Short and Long-Term Exposure to Biomass Fuel (Wood Smoke) and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Lipid Peroxidation of Male Albino Rats

Background: Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has surged rapidly in recent times. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is considered as one of the leading environmental risk factors of several diseases. Biomass smoke exposure has been shown to be associated with inflammation, coagulation, and lipid peroxidation, which are important factors in the development of CVD. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of biomass fuel exposure on cardiovascular risk markers and lipid peroxidation. Methods: The twenty adult male wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups of ten animals each designated as groups A and B. Rats in group A served as control (exposed to fresh air) and group B exposed to inhalation of biomass smoke (wood smoke). The exposures were done using whole body exposure chambers 70cm x 60cm x 60cm measurement for six weeks, 6 days per week. . Five millilitres of blood sample were collected and serum extracted at the end of three and six weeks intervals. Serum concentrations of troponin I, CK-MB, hsCRP, myoglobin and MDA were determined using standard methods, while atherogenic indices were calculated using appropriate formula. Results: The result shows significant increase in troponin I, CK-MB, hsCRP, myoglobin, CRR, AC, AIP and MDA at three weeks and six weeks relative to control, and these effects appears to be dependent on exposure duration.

Conclusion: The results suggest that repeated exposure to biomass fuel could potentiate the risk of CVD through elicitation and amplification of oxidative stress and cardio-inflammation, thus acting as significant risk factor for CVD.