ASSESSMENT OF VITAMIN C'S INFLUENCE ON SERUM LIPID PROFILES IN MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS SUBJECTED TO NITROCELLULOSE THINNER: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INHALATION AND WHOLE-BODY EXPOSURE

Occupational exposure to organic solvents like nitrocellulose thinner poses significant health risks, particularly in disrupting lipid metabolism. This study aimed to assess the impact of inhalation and whole-body exposure to nitrocellulose thinner on serum lipid profiles in male Albino Wistar rats and evaluate the potential protective effects of vitamin C supplementation. Thirty (30) rats were randomly assigned into five groups: control, inhalation exposure, whole-body exposure, inhalation + vitamin C, and whole-body exposure + vitamin C. Lipid parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were analyzed after 28 days of exposure. Results showed that both exposure routes significantly elevated TC, TG, and LDL-C compared to the control (p < 0.05), while reducing HDL-C, with whole-body exposure inducing more severe dyslipidemia. Vitamin C supplementation partially reversed these alterations, with greater efficacy in the inhalation group compared to whole-body exposure. This suggests that dermal absorption leads to more prolonged toxic effects than inhalation. These findings highlight the cardiovascular risks of solvent exposure and suggest antioxidant therapy as a potential intervention. Further research is needed to explore dose-dependent effects of vitamin C and long-term metabolic consequences of solvent exposure.