Protective effects of krill oil and atorvastatin on haematological dysfunction in caecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis in mice

Abstract

Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory syndrome associated with profound haematological disturbances that contribute to immune dysregulation, impaired oxygen transport, and coagulation abnormalities. The present study investigated the effects of krill oil, atorvastatin, and their combination on haematological parameters in a caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model in mice. Adult male Swiss albino mice were subjected to polymicrobial sepsis using the CLP technique and pre-treated with krill oil (250 mg/kg, p.o.), atorvastatin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), or a combination of both agents according to the experimental design. Blood samples were collected 20±2 h post-CLP for the assessment of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (RBC), total leukocyte count (WBC), and platelet count using an automated haematology analyzer. CLP-induced sepsis resulted in significant reductions in PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, and platelet counts when compared to sham-operated controls, indicating severe haematological impairment. Pre-treatment with krill oil or atorvastatin significantly ameliorated these alterations, with krill oil showing notable improvement in erythrocyte and platelet indices and atorvastatin producing moderate recovery across parameters. Importantly, combined krill oil and atorvastatin therapy demonstrated the greatest restoration of all haematological indices, with values approaching those of the sham group. These findings indicate that krill oil and atorvastatin exert complementary protective effects against sepsis-induced haematological dysfunction. The study supports the potential utility of combined nutraceutical and pharmacological strategies as adjunctive approaches for managing haematological derangements associated with sepsis.