LIVER FUNCTION TESTS, RED CELL INDICES AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HEALTHY MALE SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

Abstract

Sprague Dawley rats are commonly used in laboratory research. The present study compared the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and red cell indices of Sprague Dawley rats used in laboratory research at National Institute of Health, Islamabad, with that of published data. Methods: Thirty five young healthy male Sprague Dawley rats (age, 92±3.4 days; weight 228±5.6 gm) were obtained from National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Rats were anaesthetized and 4 ml of blood was drawn from each rat for estimation of serum MDA, ALT, AST levels and red cell indices. Results: Serum MDA levels in the study group were 3.2±0.39 µmol/l, Serum ALT levels were 44.1±3.26 IU/l, and serum AST levels were 156.2±4.97 IU/l. Haematological parameters revealed RBC count 7.63±0.33 (10⁶/µl), haemoglobin 13.16±0.57 gm/dl, haematocrit 41.93±2.06%, MCV 55.69±0.93 fl, MCH 17.33±0.35 pg, and MCHC 31.45±0.53 g/dl. Conclusion: Levels of serum MDA, ALT, AST and red cell indices in the Sprague Dawley rats at National Institute of Health, Islamabad are comparable with published work on this strain. These parameters can be used in assessing the oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and haematological derangements produced by various agents.