Haemolytic effects and changes in serum enzymes in normal rats exposed to halofantrine hydrochloride overdose.

Abstract

The levels of serum enzymes and haemolytic effects of overdose of halofantrine hydrochloride were determined in adult male rats. The animals were grouped into four groups and were orally administered halofantine hydrochloride in normal saline: 0 mg/kg (control), 4 mg/kg (under-dose), 8 mg/kg (normal dose) and 16 mg/kg (overdose) in three repeated doses at 6 h interval. The changes in serum enzyme levels were determined by monitoring the levels alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total serum albumin. The haemolytic effect of the drug was monitored by the changes in packed cell volume (PCV), total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. There were significant increases in the ALT, AST and ALP levels in both the normal dose and overdose when compared with the control. The reduction in total serum albumin in normal dose and overdose was also significant (p < 0.05). The result also revealed a significant decrease in PCV and increase in total and direct bilrubin (p < 0.05) in the overdose groups. The result is indicative of the hepatotoxicity and haemotoxicity of halofantrine hydrochloride in normal dose and overdose conditions. Key words: Halofantrine hydrochloride, haemotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, serum enzymes.