Haematological and erythrocyte membrane changes induced by amiodarone, in rats.

The effect of Amiodarone (AD), a cationic amphiphilic drug, on erythrocytes and leucocytes was studied. Treatment of rats with AD showed a significant decrease in the red cell count and the level of Hemoglobin. Amiodarone altered the fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane followed by a decrease in the activities of membrane bound enzymes like (Na+, K+)-ATPase, Acetylcholine esterase and NADH dehydrogenase. A slight increase in the leucocyte count was also observed in the treated animals.