A modified paperfuge technique in evaluating anemia in phenylhydydrazine-induced ICR

Abstract

Anemia is a common observation in several diseases in humans and animals. This condition is evaluated through the blood using parameters, including the packed cell volume (PCV). However, quick diagnosis might take longer, especially in resource limited areas, as blood samples still need to be processed in the laboratory. In this experimental study, a modified paperfuge technique was evaluated to assess anemia in an animal model. A total of 16 ICR mice were used. After animal acclimatization for ten days, persistent anemia (hemolytic) was induced in nine mice by administering phenylhydrazine every other day for three times. Only distilled water was used in the control mice. After seven days, blood was extracted from the mice. Complete blood count using a species specific hematology machine was performed. PCV was further evaluated using the centrifuge machine and the modified paperfuge technique. Results using the hematology machine showed that the phenylhydrazine-induced mice had lower red blood cell count (x= 4.26 x 10^6/µL, SD=0.93) and PCV (x=32.5, SD=7.5) than the red blood cell count (x=5.26 x 10^6/µL, SD=1.1) and PCV (x=36.5, SD=5.8) of the control mice. PCV readings from the three methods were strongly correlated with the RBC count. On the other hand, PCV readings from the paperfuge technique were also strongly and significantly correlated with the centrifuge (R=0.99, p=0.000) and hematology machine (R=0.89, p=0.000) results. Further analysis revealed that there was no significant difference observed between the PCV readings of the CBC machine, the centrifuge and the modified paperfuge (treatment group: p=0.39, control group: p=0.09). Results suggest that the modified paperfuge technique can be reliable in measuring PCV to evaluate anemia. Further studies are recommended to compare results in anemic animals and humans.