Vitamin C Supplementation Lowered Atherogenic Lipid Parameters among Oil and Gas Workers Occupationally Exposed to Petroleum Fumes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on lipid profile parameters among oil and gas workers occupationally exposed to petroleum fumes through inhalation over a period of 12 months.

Study Design: A total of 150 subjects between the age ranges of 18 to 45 years old were recruited for the study of which 50 subjects were exposed to petroleum fumes and were given vitamin C supplementation (group1), 50 were also exposed to petroleum without vitamin C (Group 2) and 50 subjects are non-oil and gas workers (control subjects).

Methodology: The Group 1 subjects were orally administered vitamin C supplements of 100mg/day for 60 days before sample collection while Group 2 subjects exposed to petroleum fumes were not given vitamin C or took vitamin during the period of the study. The control subjects were non-oil and gas workers. At the end of the experiment (60 days), blood specimens were collected from group 1, group 2, and the control subjects. Lipid parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein were analysed using enzymatic methods. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism and results were expressed as Mean±SD.

Results: The results indicated significantly higher values in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein in the petroleum fumes exposed subjects compared to control subjects except for high-density lipoprotein which indicated significantly lower values. When those exposed were given vitamin C supplementation, there was a significant reduction in the lipid parameters except HDL-C which indicated a significantly higher value compared with those exposed without vitamin C supplementation administered orally at 100mg for 60 days at P=.05.

Conclusion: The study has shown that occupational exposure to petroleum fumes is associated with dyslipidaemia. However, the use of 100mg of vitamin C daily for 60 days ameliorated the degree of dyslipidaemia associated with occupational exposure to petroleum fumes. Vitamin C could be considered as a preventive means to mitigate or ameliorate cardiovascular risks due to occupational exposure to petroleum fumes and products among workers.