Macrocytic anemia induced via oral administration of toxic dose of acetaminophen

The abuse of Acetaminophen (over-the-counter drug) is rapidly increasing globally, thus inducing physiological alterations and toxicity. In this study, it was hypothesized that overdose of acetaminophen may induce certain type of anemia; hence the type of anemia induced by oral exposure to toxic dose of acetaminophen was evaluated. Fifteen (15) Wistar rats weighing approximately 160 g were grouped into three (3) groups; Group 1 (control) received 2ml of distilled water, Group 2 received 200 mg/kg of acetaminophen and Group 3 received 700 mg/kg of acetaminophen for 14 days. After administration, the rats were dissected on anesthesia (chloroform); blood was collected via cardiac puncture. The samples collected were assayed for Red Blood cell (RBC) Count, Hemoglobin concentration (HB), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). The data was statistically analyzed using Graph Pad Prism (version 8). Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results showed that acetaminophen (200 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg) significantly increased MCV, MCH and decreased RBC and HB in a dose dependent manner with no significant effect on MCHC when compared to group 1 (control) (P<0.05). In conclusion, Acetaminophen (700 mg/kg) decreases RBC, HB and increases MCV, MCH and MCHC which suggests that toxic dose of acetaminophen can cause macrocytic anemia in Wistar rats.