Exploring the effect of DMBA on haematological and biochemical parameters in rats

Abstract

7, 12-Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is a potent organ-specific carcinogen widely employed in experimental cancer research to induce mammary tumors in laboratory animals. This study aimed to investigate the hematological and biochemical alterations following oral administration of DMBA in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered 20 mg/kg DMBA orally for four consecutive weeks, and tumor development was monitored over 60 days. Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated to assess physiological changes. DMBA exposure resulted in significant deviations in RBC, WBC, platelet counts, and liver and kidney function markers, suggesting systemic toxicity and tumor development. The study provides a foundation for evaluating therapeutic interventions against DMBA-induced carcinogenesis. DMBA (7, 12-Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene) is a potent, organ-specific laboratory carcinogen widely used in cancer research. It acts as a tumor initiator by inducing the necessary cellular alterations. The induction of mammary carcinomas in rats by chemical carcinogens, particularly DMBA, serves as an effective model for studying carcinogen sensitivity. DMBA belongs to a class of chemical carcinogens known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most PAHs are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate, disrupting biological balance and contaminating ecosystems. PAHs can cause cancer in various animal organs regardless of the delivery route. Furthermore, DMBA exposure leads to significant behavioral abnormalities and physiological disease processes, including cancer and aging.