Impact of prolonged exposure to nicotine on the haematological parameters of male Wistar rats

Considering the popular usage of nicotine, the impact of prolonged exposure of nicotine on haematological parameters in male Wistar rats was evaluated by the current study. A total of thirty (30) Wistar rats were grouped into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1: served as (control) and received distilled water and rat chow ad libitum. Groups 2 to 4 served as test groups; and received 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg/bw of Nicotine respectively. All treatments were administered orally using oral gavage and it lasted for 28 consecutive days. Thereafter samples were harvested and laboratory analyses done. Upon statistical analysis of data using the SPSS, there was a dependent increase in the body weight of experimental animals administered with 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of the nicotine extract during week 2 and week 3. Aside from that of the 500 mg/kg treated group with marked (P < 0.05) decreased, all other nicotine treated groups compared to control group, indicated significantly raised levels of RBC. Similarly, there were non–significant (p>0.05) increases in the packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration for the groups administered with 200 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of Nicotine compared to the control. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the level of neutrophils and reduction in eosinophil compared to control. In conclusion, chronic exposure to increasing doses of nicotine may have the potential to raise the levels of RBC, PCV, haemoglobin and platelet count; thus leading to a possible raised viscosity/hypercoagulable state of blood that could result in haemodynamic and other related dysfunction.