EFFECT OF HIGH-FAT DIET AND DEXAMETHASONE ON WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN MICE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) and dexamethasone on white blood cell (WBC) counts in mice. A total of ten mice were divided into two groups: Group 1 (Control) received a standard diet with saline, while Group 2 (Experimental) received dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) combined with a high-fat diet. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, focusing on total and differential WBC counts.
Results revealed that the experimental group exhibited a significantly higher WBC count (mean 3.56 × 10³/µL) compared to the control group (mean 2.88 × 10³/µL). Independent t-test analysis showed this difference to be statistically significant (p< 0.05). This suggests that combined dexamethasone treatment and HFD feeding alters leukocyte dynamics, possibly through mechanisms involving neutrophil demargination, lymphocyte apoptosis, and systemic inflammation induced by metabolic stress.
The study concludes that prolonged exposure to HFD and dexamethasone may predispose individuals to immune dysregulation. It recommends further studies on the combined diet–drug interaction effects on hematopoiesis and immune function in humans and animal models.
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