Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) constitute a group of persistent toxic pollutants, and the petroleum industry is one of the sources of these metals. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V) in Plantago ovata and milk and tissues of domestic goats in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Plant samples and blood, milk, muscle, liver, and kidney samples were collected from domestic goats and the levels of Pb, Cd, V, and Ni were determined. Liver and kidney tissue injury, oxidative stress, and expression of pro-inflammatory and apoptosis markers were evaluated. Pb, Cd, V, and Ni were increased in Plantago ovata as well as in milk, blood, muscle, liver, and kidney of goats collected from the polluted site. Aminotransferases, creatinine, and urea were increased in serum, and histopathological changes were observed in the liver and kidney of goats at the oil extraction site. Malondialdehyde and the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, Bax, and caspase-3 were increased, whereas cellular antioxidants and Bcl-2 were decreased in liver and kidney of goats at the polluted site. In conclusion, petroleum industry caused liver and kidney injury, oxidative stress, and upregulated pro-inflammatory and apoptosis markers in goats. These findings highlight the negative impact of petroleum industry on the environment and call attention to the assessment of its effect on the health of nearby communities.