Haematological and biochemical study on rabbit post whole body x-irradiation and treatment by nigella sativa oil or olive oil

Haematological and biochemical changes following cumulative doses of whole body X- irradiation (5Gy) and treatment by Nigella sativa oil and olive oil were evaluated in adult male domesticated rabbits. Irradiation caused a significant decrease in white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin content, haematocrit percentage, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin corpuscles and blood platelets. Whereas, mean corpuscular volume and lymphocyte percentage were significantly increased. Irradiation exposure also caused significant increase of urea, uric acid and creatinine concentration in rabbit's blood serum compared to the control level. Irradiation also showed significant increase in glucose, cholesterol and triglycerdies contents, Signs improvements in haematological parameters and serum of non-protein nitrogen constituents e.g. urea, uric acid, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides of rabbit were noticed after oral administration of Nigella sativa oil or olive oil prior to irradiation.