Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Haematological Changes in Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infected Wistar Rats Treated with a Flavonoid Mixture and/or Diminazene Aceturate

Kobo PI, Ayo JO, Tagang Aluwong, Zezi AU and Maikai VA

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with DAFLON® 500 mg (DF) and/or diminazene aceturate (DZ) on hematological parameters in rats, infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Rats in the control group were administered with distilled water (DW) only (5 mL/kg), while those in other groups were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei (106 cells/ml), and treated with DF and/or DZ. Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, erythrocyte (RBC) and neutrophil counts were lower in the infected untreated and DF-treated group, than in any other group. Total leucocyte, lymphocyte, platelet counts and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased in the infected untreated group, compared to values obtained in those administered with DF and/or DZ. The MCV reduced in the DZ-treated group, compared to the groups treated with DF and the combination of DF and DZ. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was lower in the infected untreated and DF treated group than in the DW or DZ group. Rats administered with DZ had higher leucocyte and lymphocyte counts compared to those in DF-treated group. It is concluded that the administration of DF and/or DZ ameliorated the anaemia caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei - infection in Wistar rats.