%0 Journal Article
%T The effects of sub-lethal doses of smokeless tobacco (snuff) on certain hematological and hemostatic parameters in Wistar rats
%A Ukoha Ukoha
%A Uchechukwu Dimkpa
%A Stephen Maduka
%J Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine
%D 2012
%I GESDAV
%R 10.5455/jeim.020412.or.027
%X Objective: We investigated the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of orogastrically-administered tobacco on some hematological and hemostatic parameters of Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty young male Wistar rats with weights between 170-220 g were used for the study. The oral LD50 for the tobacco snuff concentration was determined as 10 mg per 200 g rat body weight. The control group A was given 1 ml of distilled water, while the experimental groups (B, C, D) were administered with tobacco snuff concentrations of 4 mg, 6 mg, and 8mg per 200 g body weight, respectively, through an oral route with the aid of orogastric tube for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected to estimate hematocrit; red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet counts; bleeding time and blood clotting time. Results: When compared with the control group, our data indicated significantly higher total WBC in groups C and D (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively); lower RBC in group D (P<0.05); lower platelet counts in all the experimental groups (P<0.001); and higher blood clotting time in groups C and D (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). However, no significant effects of snuff consumption were observed on the experimental groups with regard to hematocrit and bleeding time. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that chronic tobacco consumption at higher sub-lethal levels may put the body at some risk of adverse hematological and hemostatic conditions. [J Exp Integr Med 2012; 2(3.000): 225-230]
%K Hematological parameters
%K Hemostatic variables
%K Smokeless tobacco
%K Tobacco snuff
%K Wistar rats
%U http://www.scopemed.org/fulltextpdf.php?mno=14394