Hematological alterations in propylene glycol-dosed female rats are minimal

The effect of a single oral dose of 73 or 294 mg propylene glycol/100 g bw, in Group I or II respectively, on hematological parameters, plasma osmolality and erythrocyte morphology was investigated in groups of 6 female rats each at different time intervals after dosing. A statistically significant and progressive decrease was observed in hemoglobin, packed cell volume and red cell counts for 2 d, which returned to basal values on the 8th day. Reticulocyte counts, plasma hemoglobin and osmolality increased after PG dosing in both the groups, and the changes were more pronounced after 2 d. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes remained unaffected after PG dosing whereas electron microscope morphology revealed rough cell surface, ruptured membranes and increased cell adherence throughout the observation period, but these features were not marked on the 8th day. These modified red cell surface characteristics could promote removal by the reticulo-endothelial system resulting in the significant increases in spleen weight in both groups.