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. 2025 Apr 28:2025:5535209.
doi: 10.1155/jt/5535209. eCollection 2025.

Evaluation of the Toxicity Profile and Central Nervous System Activities of Glue (Adhesive) Inhalation in Wistar Rats

Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh  1 , Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu  2   3 , Onyinye Emmanuella Ibeabuchi  1 , Bilyaminu Abubakar  4 , Millicent Ladi Umaru  4 , Zuwaira Sani  5 , Edith Ginika Otalike  1 , Umar Mohammed  6 , Muhammad Sanusi Haruna  6 , Kehinde Ahmad Adeshina  7   8
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Toxicity Profile and Central Nervous System Activities of Glue (Adhesive) Inhalation in Wistar Rats

Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh et al. J Toxicol. .

Abstract

Background: Glue inhalation is a common unconventional substance of abuse, and it contains neurotoxic and volatile solvents. We examined the toxicity profile and central nervous system (CNS) activities of glue inhalation in Wistar rats. Methods: Acute toxicity was investigated, and the subacute toxicity was studied using 24 male Wistar rats at graded concentrations of air, 2, 4 and 8 mL glue (n = 6/group) for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for biochemical and haematological evaluations, and vital organs (lung, liver, kidney, heart, brain and eye) were used for histological analysis. Behavioural studies were carried out using an elevated plus maze, hole board test, open-field test, tail suspension test and forced swim test. Dependence and abstinence effects were also evaluated. Results: The lethal dose (LD50) of the inhalational glue was 14.14 mL. Glue significantly increased liver function parameters such as TB, DB, ALP, ALT, TP and electrolyte levels (K+ and HCO3) but reduced cholesterol levels in exposed rats. Glue inhalation had significant anxiolytic and depressant effects on the rats at concentrations of 4 and 8 mL. Histological analysis revealed liver and lung tissue abnormalities and subconjunctival inflammation in eye tissue at 8 mL. Conclusion: The study therefore suggests that glue inhalation has anxiolytic and depressant effects in Wistar rats.

Keywords: behaviour; central nervous system; depression; glue; toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lung sections H and E X 100 (a–d). (a) (control): normal regular alveoli space and interstitium. (b) (2 mL of glue): normal regular alveoli space (black arrow), mild interstitium inflammatory infiltrate (white arrow) (c) (4 mL of glue) and (d) (8 mL of glue): normal regular alveoli space (black arrow) and with moderate interstitium inflammatory infiltrate (white arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Heart sessions H and E X 100 (a–d). (a) Control, (b) 2 mL of glue, (c) 4 mL of glue, (d) 8 mL of glue. Heart sections show regular cardiac myocytes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kidney sections H and E X 100. (a) Control: Kidney section shows regular glomeruli and renal tubules, (b) 2 mL of glue, (c) 4 mL of glue, (d) 8 mL of glue. Kidney sections (b–d) all show regular glomeruli (long arrow) and renal tubules (short arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Liver sections H and E X 100. (a) Control and (b) 2 mL of glue: normal central vein (long arrow) and hepatocytes arrange in cords (short arrow). (c) 4 mL of glue: mild porta triaditis (long arrow) and hepatocytes arrange in cords (short arrow). (d) 8 mL of glue: moderate porta triaditis (long arrow) and hepatocytes arrange in cords (short arrow).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Brain sessions H and E 100. (a) Control, (b) 2 mL of glue, (c) 4 mL of glue, (d) 8 mL of glue: A brain sections show regular neuropils.
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