Expression Levels of Some Detoxification Genes in Liver and Testis of Rats Exposed to a Single Dose of Methyl-Tertiary Butyl Ether

AIM: Methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a well-known gasoline oxygenate compound, is still used in several countries. Several studies investigated the effects of MTBE on the activity of phase II metabolism enzymes. There is no published data on the effect(s) of short-term exposure to MTBE on mRNA levels of antioxidant genes. Therefore, the present study was carried out. METHODS: A total of 15 adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal experimental groups. They received a single dose of 0, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/Kg MTBE in peanut oil by gavages. The final group received no MTBE and peanut oil. After 24 hr animals were slaughtered then livers and testis were removed to extract the total RNA. Real-time PCR was done to detect the gene expressions of glutathione S-transferase family (Gstt1, Gstm1, and Gstp1). RESULTS: The mRNAs levels of the examined genes neither in liver nor in testis showed a significant difference between the exposed groups and control rats. CONCLUSIONS: The present data revealed that exposure to a single dose of MTBE has no significant effect on the mRNA levels of the Gstt1, Gstm1, and Gstp1 genes.