Haematological changes induced by feeding a common food colour, metanil yellow, in albino mice

Metanil yellow was administered daily in the food at the rate of 0.0, 0.1, 0.5 and 3.0 g/kg body weight for 180 days to male and female albino mice. No change was observed by the first two doses but feeding of this colour at the rate of 3.0 g/kg body weight led to certain changes in the haematological values. Total erythrocyte count (TEC) and Hb had decreased whereas ESR, MCV, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) had increased. These facts suggested the occurrence of normochromic macrocytic anaemia. Differential leukocyte count (DLC) showed marked increase in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes and decrease in the number of neutrophils and eosinophils. Heinz bodies were observed in 80-90% erythrocytes. Other haematological values like total leukocyte count (TLC), platelet count (PC), PCV, MCHC, bleeding time (BT) and coagulation time (CT) were normal.