Impact of blueberry extract on hematological response in phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia

The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of blueberries on hematological parameters, oxidative stress, and interleukin-10 levels in acute hemolytic anemia induced by the administration of an intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control, anemia (PHZ), and anemia plus blueberries (PHZ+BB). Blueberries were administered via oral gavage (250 mg/day). The erythrocyte osmotic fragility, splenomegaly, iron metabolism, hematological analysis, reactive oxygens species, sulfhydryl group, and interleukin-10 levels were evaluated. The erythrocyte osmotic fragility (in 0.85% and 0.55% sodium chloride solution) and spleen weight-to-body weight ratio (∼400%) were elevated in the PHZ and PHZ+BB Groups compared to the controls (p-value < 0.05). Increased transferrin and reactive oxygens species levels were found in the PHZ (15%) compared to the Control Group (p-value < 0.05). There was an immune inflammatory response in the PHZ Group due to increases in the total leukocyte (300%), lymphocyte (100%), and neutrophil (400%) counts compared to the Control Group (p-value < 0.05); the PHZ Group showed increased interleukin-10 levels (100%) compared to the Control Group (p-value < 0.05). Blueberries showed a partial protective effect on these parameters, since there were lower neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and diminished interleukin-10 levels in the PHZ+BB Group compared to the PHZ Group (p-value < 0.05). In addition, blueberries increased sulfhydryl group levels (p-value < 0.05). These data suggest a protective role of blueberries against inflammatory response and oxidative stress in an acute hemolytic anemia model.