Ameliorative effects of selenium and vitamin e supplementation on some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragilty in wistar rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragility in Wistar rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress (WRS) (n= 35). Male Wistar rats, weighing 200-220 g were divided in to five groups of seven rats each, viz: (i) passive control (non-stress rats), (ii) active control (WRS + distilled water), (iii) WRS + vitamin E, (iv) WRS + vitamin E + selenium, and (v) WRS + selenium. The WRS procedure lasted for 3.5 hours. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for the investigation of some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragility. The results of the present study showed that there were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Lymphocytes and monocytes and there was a significant decrease(P > 0.05) in neutrophil count in response to WRS for 3.5 hours. Some of the haematological values (PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb, neutrophils and lymphocytes) showed significant increase (P < 0.001) in selenium and vitamin E pre-treated groups. The result of the erythrocyte osmotic fragility showed that 3.5 hours of WRS increased haemolysis in the rats. The percentage haemolysis was significantly highest in the active control group. Pre-treatment with selenium and vitamin E decreased the percentage haemolysis significantly. It was concluded that acute WRS exposure for 3.5 hours did not exert considerable effects on blood-forming organs, such that there was no inhibition of erythropoiesis and consequently, haemosynthesis.The MCV, MCH and MCHC remain normal because there was no significant destruction in RBC (size and shape) and decrease in haemoglobin content in the active controls and the decrease in neutrophil count was because neutrophils were involved in phagocytosis,during which some of the neutrophils have ruptured. The erythrocytes were susceptible to oxidative stress. Administration of selenium and vitamin E singly or in combination ameliorated WRS-induced changes of the abovestudied parameters.

Keywords: Erythrocyte, Haemolysis, Neutrophil, Stress, Selenium, Vitamin E, Water immersion,