Extract of Edible Seafood - Egeria Radiata (Clam) Boosts Blood Parameters in Rats

Aims: This study investigates the effect of consumption of an edible seafood - Egeria Radiata (Clam) on hematological parameters in rats.
Study Design: Albino Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups of 5 rats each.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Methodology: The protein content of the extract was estimated as 24.60±.1mg protein / mL. Graded doses of the extract (1.64 – 104.96mg protein / kg) were administered (i.p) in rats to determine the LD50 value of the extract. Based on the LD50 value (56.36mg/kg), two test doses (low dose - 7.0 mg protein / mL and high dose - 52mg protein / mL) were selected and administered to two groups of rats orally and daily for six weeks, while a third group of rats served as the control, n = 5. Blood samples were obtained from all the rats via cardiac puncture for the analysis of the various hematological indices.
Results: Both the low and high doses of the extract produced significant increases in RBC count (P<.001), Hb (P<.001) and PCV (P<.001) compared with control. MCH (P<.001), MCHC (P<.001), total WBC count (P<.001) and platelet count (P<.001) were also increased in the extract groups. The extract groups had significant reductions in mean platelet volume (P<.001), platelet distribution width (P<.001) and platelet large cell ratio (P<.001) compared with control.
Conclusion: In conclusion, an edible molluscan sea animal (Clam) probably contains food substances that enhance erythropoiesis, leukocytosis and thrombopoiesis. Clam could therefore serve as preferred and stable supplementary diets.