Abstract
This study was conducted to identify how exposure to ambient noise that is over 75 dB affects the oxidant-antioxidant profile using hematological and biochemical indicators, and to investigate the effects of a strong and current antioxidant, α lipoic acid, on rats that were subjected to noise stress. For this purpose, five groups of eight rats were formed as follows: Control (K), Noise Exposure (GK), Lipoic Acid (LA), Noise Pollution + α Lipoic Acid (GK + LA) and Oil (Y). The blood samples collected from rats were analyzed and MDA (malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione), SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), NO (nitrit oxide), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), leukocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides, HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein), and urea-N levels were measured. The physical factory environment in a textile factory was preferred to simulate the noise exposure. Ambient noise was measured to be 75 dB. Exposure to physical ambient noise was sustained for 30 days. MDA level was measured at the lowest level in the LA and GKLA groups while it was statistically significantly higher in other groups than it was in the control group. It was observed that GSH reached its lowest level in the group that was exposed to noisy environment, the 100 mg/kg/day α lipoic acid administered on the experimental model increased this level to that of the control group and this change was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Considering the urea levels, the increases in GK and GKLA groups and the decreases in LA and Y groups were observed to be statistically significant. When glucose levels were compared to the control group, they were found to be statistically significantly lower in all groups. As a result, it was observed that exposure to noise for 30 days was likely to lead to leukocyte-based immune deficiency and using α lipoic acid as an antioxidant might provide a significant protection against the noise stress.