Effect of Methyl Tertiary-butyl on Blood Parameters and Liver Tissue in NMRI Albino Female Mice

Background and Methyl tertiary-butyl (MTBE) is an organic volatile compound that is used to improve gasoline as the replacement of tetraethyl lead. This compound can be absorbed into the blood in different ways and leave toxic effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MTBE on blood parameters and liver tissue in NMRI albino female mice.
This study was conducted in 45 mature NMRI albino mice, which were placed into three groups, including two experimental groups (groups A and B) and a control group. Group A received 0.4 cc of MTBE (0.06 cc of MTBE and 0.04 cc of distilled water) at graded dose of 1600 mg/kg body weight once a day. Group B received the same compound along with 0.1 cc of physiological serum. After weighing and anesthetizing the mice, their blood samples were collected. Then, the liver and blood parameters were measured by MOTIC software as well as macroscopic and microscopic observations, using slides.
The number of red blood cells, hematocrit, and plasma density elevated in group A, but hemoglobin level showed no increase, which indicate the toxic effects of this substance. In group A, hyperemia and liver inflammation were considerably associated with the increase in the diameter of lobular and interlobular central veins as well as sinusoids. The mean ratio of nucleus to cell size decreased; on the other hand, compared to mononuclear cells, the number of binuclear hepatocytes raised. There were statistically significant differences between the two experimental groups and between the control group and group A in most cases (P According to our findings, the variations in blood parameters and liver tissue were due to the toxic effects of MTBE. As indicated, the use of physiological serum in group B reduced these changes. Hence, alternative compounds with lower risk should be used to improve gasoline.