Mitigations in Selected Haemostatic Parameters in Administration of Graded Doses of Dexamethasone and its Blockers in Wister Rats

Abstract

Clinical trials have shown that an even newer compound, dexamethasone (Dex), might be more potent and less likely to cause side-effects than any other known corticosteroid medication. This study investigated the possible changes in selected haemostatic parameters [clotting time, bleeding time, platelets count and fibrinogen level] in albino wistar rats, following administration of graded doses of Dex. Forty-two male albino Wistar rats were randomly grouped into seven of six rats each. With Group A receiving normal diets (Control), Groups B-G were respectively given 0.1 mg/Kg of Dex, 0.3 mg/Kg of Dex, 0.1 mg/Kg of Dex +33 mg/Kg of Ketokonazol (Keto), 0.3 mg/Kg of Dex +33 mg/Kg of Keto, 0.1 mg/Kg of Dex+Vitamin (Vit) E and 0.1 mg/Kg of Dex. +Vit E. following two-weeks administration period, rats were euthanized and blood samples obtained by cardiac puncture under diethyl ether to determine haemostatic parameters. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that Dex, in higher doses decreased bleeding and clotting time, with significant increase (p<0.05) in platelet and fibrinogen counts. However, Vitamin E and Ketoconazole treatment reversed this effect by increasing bleeding and clotting time with decreased fibrinogen levels and platelet count. Thus, study demonstrates that dexamethasone affect haemostasis by significantly decreasing bleeding and clotting times, and also enhances haemostatic function with significant increase in fibrinogen and platelet count which may predispose to thrombotic disorders.