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Document Type |
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Article In Journal |
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Document Title |
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The effect of water contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) on the rats's weight and tissue The effect of water contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) on the rats's weight and tissue |
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Subject |
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The effect of water contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) on the rats's weight and tissue |
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Document Language |
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English |
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Abstract |
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Lead is known to cause deleterious effects on health and environment. Therefore, it was removed from car-fuel, in the United States since 1979. In January 2001, Saudi Arabia and other Arabian Gulf States, replace lead with a synthetic tissueic substance called methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). MTBE is added to gasoline at 12-15%. It dissolves readily in water and evaporates quickly. This study focused on the possible health hazards of MTBE in drinking water as manifested by changes in weight and vital tissues (heart, liver, kidney, lung, and testis) of rat. The studies also aims to establish a quantitative relationship between MTBE concentration and changes that occur to these tissues. One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were exposed to five different MTBE concentrations (0.0, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 ppm) for 60 days. The results showed that most of MTBE-treated animals has revealed significant weight loss and the maximum weight loss (nearly 10 %) was achieved at the highest concentration (2,500 ppm) after 60 days of treatment. Also, both liver and heart weights were significantly reduced by almost 9%, and kidneys by 8% of MTBE concentration of 2,000 ppm. At a higher concentration (2,500 ppm), liver weight was reduced by 12%. The weight of other tissues (lungs and testes) remained unchanged. As a conclusion, both animals and liver weight were reduced which may cause hepatic injury. This injury could reduce plasma glucose, or increase ALT, AST, and GGT activity, or elevate the levels of sodium and chloride in plasma and may have other effects. |
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ISSN |
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0 |
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Journal Name |
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Saudi Biological Society |
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Volume |
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15 |
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Issue Number |
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1 |
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Publishing Year |
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1429 AH
2008 AD |
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Article Type |
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Article |
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Added Date |
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Monday, June 15, 2009 |
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