THE EFFECTS OF GASOLINE VAPOR ON ANXIETY LEVELS IN MALE RATS

Background & Aims: Studies have shown that gasoline vapors can affect psychological behaviors.This study aimed to investigate the effects of gasoline vapor inhalation on anxiety in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three exposure groups receiving daily gasoline vapor for 1, 2, or 3 hours over five weeks.Anxiety levels were assessed using the elevated plus maze during the first, third, and fifth weeks.Data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA for within-group comparisons and one-way between-subjects ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test for between-group comparisons.Results: The findings indicated a significant increase in anxiety levels in the groups exposed to gasoline vapor for 1, 2, and 3 hours over the study period (p < 0.05).Furthermore, in the third and fifth weeks, anxiety levels in all exposure groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05).However, no significant difference was observed between the exposure groups and the control group in the first week.Conclusion: Gasoline vapor inhalation can act as an effective anxiety-inducing factor in rats.This effect is likely due to volatile solvents in gasoline vapors, which may cause oxidative stress, leading to brain dysfunction and anxiety.However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of gasoline vapor on anxiety levels.