A Novel Study on the Hematological and Physiological Disturbance of Ivermectin-COVID 19 Treatment Abuse in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: During COVID-19 and reported prevalence of self-medication practices dup to 88.35 % of the overall population which included mainly acetaminophen, antibiotics, chloroquine and ivermectin. Pointless prophylaxis, prevention and treatment protocols for COVID-19 pushed people to adopt selfmedication and more concerning, self-dosing without prescription. The present study was designed to detect the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 treatment protocols (ivermectin) followed by the administration of lactoferrin on biochemical as well as haematological parameters in experimental Albino rats. Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were carried out in the present study; rats were randomly assigned to different control and treatment groups. The experimental groups in common were divided into three groups (Each group have10 rats) as the following: Group I: Rats received saline solution orally); Group II: Rats Ivermectin intraperitoneal (ip) at (15 mg/kg B.W) at a single dose weekly for 6 weeks; Group III: Rats administrated to Ivermectin intraperitoneal (ip) at (15 mg/kg B.W) followed by treatment of Lactoferrin per orally for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected under diethyl ether anaesthesia for further determination of hematological and biochemical parameters. Results: Following the present results, the administration of therapeutic ivermectin produced alterations in some biochemical parameters which correlated with hematological parameters in the positive untreated group as compared to the normal control group. In contrast, a group of rats administrated lactoferrin caused a reduction in urea, and creatinine levels in the positive treated group in comparison to the positive untreated group. Consequently, it could be concluded that it is not preferable to use ivermectin, particularly without any recommendation or evidence of parasitic exposure while lactoferrin need to be used for prophylaxes prior to oral intake in need.