Effects of the Ingestion of Microwaved Food Items on Some Haematological Parameters in Albino Wistar Rats
B. C. Eke *
Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Nigeria
N. N. Jibiri
Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, P.M.B. 16, Ibadan, Nigeria
B. C. Anusionwu
Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Nigeria
C. E. Orji
Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Nigeria
E. C. Mbamala
Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine if there is a correlation between the ingestion of microwaved food items and haematological parameters.
Study Design: Twenty male albino rats weighing between 180-200g were used for the study and randomly assigned into 2 study groups of 10 animals each. The animals
were 10 – 11 weeks old on arrival.
Place and Duration of Study: Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, between September 2013 and December 2013.
Methodology: Group 2 animals were fed on microwaved food items such as boiled rice and stew, jollof rice, porrage beans, porrage yam and boiled fish while group 1 animals were fed on similar unmicrowaved food items for 3 months. All food items spent only 4 minutes in the microwave oven. Blood samples of the 2 groups were analyzed in the laboratory.
Results: A significant decrease in the means of Red Blood Cell (769.0×104±15.36 to 683.6×104±13.41), White Blood Cell (8.52×103±1.15 to 5.98×103±0.96), Packed Cell Volume (45.28±1.03 to 34.20±1.93), Haemoglobin Concentration (19.18±0.37 to 15.56±0.35), Lymphocytes (72.75±0.99 to 53.70±0.96), monocytes (6.47±0.27 to 5.60±0.36) and eosinophils (3.90±0.20 to 2.64±0.47) counts of group 2 animals was shown when compared to group 1 animals (P = .05). A significant increase in the mean of neutrophils (35.50±0.85 to 42.84±0.68) count of group 2 animals was shown when compared to group 1 animals (P = .05). There was no significant decrease in basophils (1.60±0.37 to 1.42±0.65) count of group 2 animals when compared to group 1 animals (P = .05).
Conclusion: These results suggest that the ingestion of microwaved food items affects some haematological parameters.
Keywords: Albino wistar rats, differential white blood cell count, haematological parameters, microwave