Assessment of Plasma Iron, Feritin, Blood Platelets and Hemoglobin Concentration in Rabbits Given Amoxicillin Overdose Supplemented with Raw Cucumber Juice

Abstract

Background and Aim: Raw Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit juice contains substances of health promoting bioactivities. Plasma iron is stored in the liver and blood cells. Platelets are blood cells involved in blood clotting for homeostasis while haemoglobin (found on red blood cells) concentration is an index of anaemia and polycythemia. This work was therefore designed to assess plasma iron, feritin, blood platelets and hemoglobin concentration in rabbits given amoxicillin overdose supplemented with raw cucumber fruit Juice. Methods: Fifteen rabbits of the same sex weighing 0.9 – 1.4Kg divided into 3 groups of 5 rabbits each were used for the study. Group A- 5 control rabbits; Group B –5 rabbits given 30.0mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 hrs for 7 days which was followed by 30ml raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days; Group C–5 rabbits given 30.0mg/ kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 hrs and raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days simultaneously. Plasma iron, ferritin and hemoglobin concentration were determined in the rabbits biochemically by spectrophotometry and immunoturbidometry while platelets were enumerated by haemocytometry. Results: There was a significant increase in plasma ferritin and iron with a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration and blood platelets when the rabbits were given 30.0mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 hrs for 7 days compared with the results obtained from the control rabbits, their basal samples and when they were supplemented with30ml raw cucumber fruit juice for 14 days with p<0.05. There was a significant decrease in plasma ferritin and iron with a significant increase in haemoglobin concentration and blood platelets when they were supplemented with3 0ml raw cucumber fruit juice for 14 days compared with the results obtained when they were given 30.0mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 hrs for 7 days with p<0.05. Conclusion : There was a significant increase in plasma ferritin and iron with a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration and blood platelets upon administration of amoxicillin overdose which was reversed when the supplement of raw cucumber fruit juice was given. Cucumber fruit juice possibly has a protective effect on blood cells and liver as there was no significant haematological alteration when amoxicillin overdose and raw cucumber fruit juice were co-administered.