Evaluation of Surfactant-D and Inflammatory Markers in Albino Rats Exposed to Commonly-Used Air Fresheners

Abstract

Air freshener exposures have been associated with a range of adverse health effects. This study evaluated Surfactant-D, interleukin 1-beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in albino rats exposed to the following brands of air fresheners (Airwick, Swiss and Sunshine). Forty-two albino rats (21 males and 21 females) weighing between 200 to 220g were randomly divided into seven groups of six rats each (3 males and 3 females per group). The rats in the first group (Group I or Control) were not exposed to any air freshener. The rats in the second group (Group II), third group (Group III), and fourth group (Group IV) were exposed to AirWick, Swiss, and Sunshine air fresheners, respectively, for thirty (30) days. Similarly, the rats in the fifth group (Group V), sixth group (Group VI), and seventh group (Group VII) were exposed to AirWick, Swiss, and Sunshine air fresheners, respectively, for sixty (60) days. At the end of the exposure, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture, for biochemical investigations. Result showed that air the fresheners significantly increased Surfactant-D protein (P<0.001), Tumour necrosis factor alpha (P<0.001) and Interleukin-1 beta (P<0.001) levels compared with the control. There was no significant difference in the mean Surfactant-D levels (p=0.533), Interleukin-β (p=0.385) and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (p=0.732) between the male and female rats. Interleukin-1β levels significantly increased (p<0.001) based on duration of exposure. Additionally, the lung tissues were excised for histological analysis. The histological analyses of lungs section of the exposed animals showed areas of distorted alveolar space, emphysema and thickened inter-alveolar septa. The study revealed that chronic exposure to air fresheners have the potential to damage lung tissues and impair lung function. It is recommended that chronic exposure to air fresheners should be minimized in order to prevent possible negative effects on lung tissues.