Comparison of antagonism of brodifacom and difenacoum by vitamin K in albino rats

ABSTRACT

Hematotoxicity of brodifacoum and difenacoum was determined in albino rats following oral administration of 0.5, 1 and 4-fold oral LD50. The obtained data revealed that hemoglobin content and hematocrit value were lowered than the control with increasing doses. The red blood cells count [RBCs] exhibited a pronounced drop. Contrary to RBCs, white blood cells counts [WBCs] were significantly increased. Administration of vitamin K [4 mg/kg] slightly affected the above hematological parameters. Prothrombin time [PT] and partial thromboplastin time [PTT] were elevated more than the control with increasing doses. Vitamin K decreased PT and PTT nearly to normal values in the animals anticoagulated with brodifacoum or difenacoum. Brodifacoum and difenacoum residues were determined in the rat serum. The residue level of brodifacoum in the animals treated with 1 mg/kg was 0.249 mug/ml, while in the animals treated with 7.2 mg/kg difenacoum it was 1.434 mug/ml. No significant difference was observed in the residue level in animals treated with either rodenticide alone or with rodenticide, followed by vitamin K. Thus, the presence of vitamin K did not contribute to the rate of uptake of anticoagulants