Effects of Exogenous Neurokinin B Administration on Hematological and Coagulation Parameters in Adult Male New Zealand White Rabbits

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of varying doses of Neurokinin B (NKB) on hematological and coagulation parameters in adult male rabbits. Methodology: This experimental study was conducted at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan from June-2019 to June-2020. Eighteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 1.5–2 kgs each, were divided randomly in to three groups (n=6 animals/ group). Group-I rabbits (control) received injections of distilled water subcutaneously. Group-II rabbits received 1 µg NKB, Group-III rabbits received 1ηg NKB subcutaneously twice daily (12 hourly), consecutively for 12 days. Animals from each group were sacrificed after 12 days of continuous treatment and blood collected for analysis of hematological [complete blood count (CBC)] and coagulation parameters [Bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)]; CBC was performed by automated hematology analyzer, while CT and BT by Duke’s and capillary tube methods respectively; PT and APTT were analyzed using commercially available kits as per manufacturer’s instructions. Results: BT was significantly prolonged in NKB-treated rabbits compared to control (group-II: 367.5±28.06sec, group-III:302.5±39.59sec, control: 102.5±22.08sec). CT was also increased (group-II: 317.50±25.84sec, group-III: 280±32.40sec, control: 157.50±28.06sec), as did PT (group-II: 37.0±3.69sec, group-III: 23.67±1.21sec, control: 22.0±1.41sec) and APTT (group-II: 39.0±2.89sec, group III 25.50±1.87sec, control: 20.83±2.32sec). Additionally, mean platelet volume [group-II: 6.57±0.30fl, group-III: 6.55±0.36fl, control: 6.05±0.27fl] and leukocyte count (×103/µl) [group-II: 15.73±1.38, group-III: 14.88±1.56, control: 8.22±1.16] were significantly increased inNKB-treated animals. International normalized ratio was significantly increased at group-II (2.0±0.1) compared to control (1.1±0.07). Conversely, platelet count (×103/µl) was decreased significantly in all NKB-treated animals (group-II =143.50±13.60, group-III=179.67±28.09) compared to control (246.34±28.73). Conclusion: Neurokinin B administration led to leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, with prolonged BT, CT, PT and APTT dose-dependently.

Keywords

• Tachykinins, Neurokinin B, Platelets, Blood Coagulation, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, Prothrombin Time, Blood Coagulation Tests