Hematological Changes in Albino Rats Following Subacute Exposure to Viva Plus Detergent: Implications for Household Chemical Safety

Aliyu Yahaya Gwiokura; Umar Abdullahi Maina; Emmanuel Oluwasegun Adawaren

doi:10.5455/JELM.20250814051736

Abstract
Background: The ubiquity of household detergents raises concerns about their potential hematotoxic effects, particularly in populations vulnerable to accidental exposure.
Methods: This investigation examined the hematological consequences of subacute oral administration of Viva Plus detergent in albino rats across three dose tiers (n=5/group: Grp A;1000, Grp B; 2000, and Grp C; 5000 mg/kg bw/day) over a 14-day period starting from 8th to 24nd of July 2025.
Results: The hematological profiling revealed a striking dose-response relationship: leukocyte counts increased progressively from 8.2 ± 1.1 ×10³/μL in controls to 17.9 ×10³/μL at the highest treatment dose (p<0.001) this indicates systemic inflammation due to increase. Concurrently, erythroid parameters exhibited marked suppression, notably with hemoglobin concentration declining by 45% and packed cell volume diminishing from 42.6% to 23.4% at peak dosage (p<0.001). Thrombocyte populations demonstrated significant depletion at ≥2000 mg/kg doses (p<0.05). Notably, erythrocytic indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) remained within normal range across all the four groups (p>0.8). This suggests normocytic normochromic anemia without cellular morphological alterations.
Conclusion: These findings corroborate existing literature on surfactant-mediated hematotoxicity. They also provide novel insights into the quantitative hematological changes induced by a commercially prevalent detergent formulation. The results demonstrated the need for enhanced safety protocols and public health advisories regarding household chemical exposure, particularly in pediatric and domestic or pets and animal contexts where accidental ingestion risks are elevated.

Key words: RRed blood cells (RBCs), Hematotoxicity, Detergent exposure, Viva Plus, Albino rats, Hematology