Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Quercetin Supplementation on High-salt Diet-induced Alterations in Haematological Indices in Wistar Rats
Ekerette Sampson Udo *
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
Anietie Akpan Jacob
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Allied Health Sciences, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Dominic Obeten Okoi
Department of General Studies, School of Health Sciences, Management and Technology, Maryslessor avenue, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Reuben Johnson Umo
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Kingsley Bassey Etim
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Effiong Chinedu Kalu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Excessive dietary salt intake is associated with adverse cardiovascular and systemic effects; however, its impact on haematological indices and the potential protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin have not been fully elucidated.
Aims: This study evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin, administered individually and in combination, on high-salt feeding (HSF)-induced alterations in haematological indices in Wistar rats.
Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats (180–220 g) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 5 per group): normal control, DMSO sham, olive oil sham, HSF (8% NaCl feed + 1% NaCl drinking water), HSF + omega-3 fatty acids (100 mg/kg), HSF + quercetin (20 mg/kg), and HSF + omega-3 fatty acids + quercetin. Treatments were administered orally for 42 days. Haematological parameters were assessed using an automated haematology analyser. Data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test, with significance set at p <0.05.
Results: HSF significantly increased red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), red cell distribution width (RDW-SD, RDW-CV), total white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), while significantly reducing haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophil count, and the monocyte-eosinophil-basophil mixed differential (MDX) (p <0.05). Omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin individually attenuated several HSF-induced alterations, whereas combined administration generally produced greater restoration towards control values across erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices.
Conclusion: Chronic high-salt feeding induces significant alterations in erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices in Wistar rats, with the combined administration of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin demonstrating greater protective effects than either intervention alone. These findings may suggest combined omega-3/quercetin supplementation as a potential nutritional strategy for mitigating salt-induced haematological disturbances.
Keywords: High-salt feeding, omega-3 fatty acids, quercetin, haematological indices, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, oxidative stress, dietary salt, wistar rats