Influence of Beers of Different Alcohol Concentration on Haematological Indices of Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study investigated the influence of beers of different alcohol content on haematological indices of male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Three brands of beers commonly consumed within Nigeria were purchased and administered to the experimental animals for 21 days. Group 1 was the control. Group 2 and group 3 were administered 10 mL/kg bw and 20 mL/kg bw of beer A respectively. Group 4 and group 5 were administered 10 mL/kg bw and 20 mL/kg bw of beer B respectively, while group 6 and group 7 were administered 10 mL/kg bw and 20 mL/kg bw of beer C respectively. The haematological analysis was carried out using Abacus 380. Results: White blood cell (WBC) count increased in all the test groups compared with the normal control. The increase is significant (P<0.05) in groups 3, 5, 6 and 7. Lymphocyte (LYM) increased non-significantly (P>0.05) in groups 2, 5, 6 and 7, but reduced non-significantly (P>0.05) in groups 3 and 4 compared to the control. Mid-size cells (MID) reduced non-significantly (P>0.05) in group 6, but increased non-significantly (P>0.05) in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 compared to the control. Granulocyte (GRA) increased non-significantly (P>0.05) in group 6, but reduced non-significantly (P>0.05) in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 compared to the control. Red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) showed no significant alteration (P>0.05) in all the test groups compared to the control. RBC reduced in all the test groups; Hb reduced in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, but increased in group 6, while PCV reduced in groups 2, 4 and 7, but increased in groups 3, 5 and 6. Platelet (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, but increased non-significantly (P>0.05) in group 6 compared to the control. Conclusion: The result showed that regular consumption of these beers of different concentrations as used in this study may induce intoxication and influence certain immune indexes, but may not induce anaemia. It also encourages the production of platelets and may promote the stoppage of bleeding resulting from an injury.