Toxicological Effects of Inhalation Exposure to Trichloroethylene on Serum Immunoglobulin and Electrolyte Levels in Rats

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most important environmental contaminants that can introduce both occupational and public health because of its widespread use. This study was aimed to investigate effects of inhalation exposure to TCE on serum immunoglobulin and electrolyte levels under controlled laboratory conditions. Five equal groups (5 animals each) were randomly selected from a total of 25 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. TCE vapor was generated by dynamic evaporation method in exposure chamber. The animals were exposed to TCE at five different concentration levels (0 ppm as control, 10, 100, 250, and 400 ppm through 8 hours inhalation during a day, for 10 consecutive days. Based on results, IgG, IgM and IgA levels were significantly increased in rats following exposure to various levels of TCE ≥ 100 ppm (P < 0.05). Conversely, TCE exposure significantly caused a decrease in the levels of IgE in the case group with those values compared to control group (P < 0.05). Contrariwise, serum levels of Ca were significantly increased in rats exposed to TCE levels above 250 ppm, the high and very high exposure level (P < 0.05). At a concentration of 100 and 400 ppm, changes were noted in serum P levels (P < 0.05). A moderate positive relationship was found between serum P and the TCE concentration in sub-acute exposure (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.05). In conclusion, sub-acute inhalation exposure to TCE (≥ 100 ppm) is related to the electrolyte and immunoglobulin toxicity in the form of increased Ca, P, IgA, IgG and IgM and decreased Cl, Na and IgE.