Paracetamol-induced changes of haemato-biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in rat blood: protective role of vitamin C and betaglucan

Abstract

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used as an ov er-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. The aim of this stu dy was to investigate the possible protective effects of vitamin C (100mg/kg/day i.p.) and β -glucan (40 mg/kg/day i.p.) on altered haematological, biochemical and oxidative s tress parameters in the blood of rats treated with paracetamol (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 3 days. Exposure of rats to paracetamol caused changes of some haematological parameters (R BCs count, Hb concentration, Ht value and WBCs count), suggesting that the paraceta mol induced haematotoxicity. Paracetamol reduced serum total protein (TP), album in and globulin, while increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotran sferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities compared to the cont rol. The results indicate that paracetamol is led to significant decrease in the c oncentration of Na + and K + and increase of Ca 2+ in the serum compared to the control. Coadministra tion of vitamin C and β -glucan with paracetamol reversed these changes of haematol ogical and biochemical parameters and diminished the toxic effects of paracetamol. Th e obtained results indicated that the concentration of LPO in erythrocytes significantly increased in, while the concentration of GSH significantly decreased in the group treated with paracetamol compared to control group. Coadministration of vitamin C and β -glucan with paracetamol reversed paracetamol-induced alterations in these oxidative stress parameters. This study suggests that paracetamol has significant prooxidative effec ts and may disrupt oxidant/antioxidant balance in erythrocytes. Furthermore, coadministrat ion with vitamin C and β -glucan have protective effects on paracetamol-induced oxidative damage and haematotoxicity.