Sinusoidal Dilatations and Splenomegaly as Feature Specifications of Drug Induced Thrombocytopenia in Oxaliplatin Treated Wistar Rats

The clinical character of oxaliplatin induced thrombocytopenia is marked by severe and acute drop in platelet count associated with bleeding and bruising within a few hours up to 48 hrs after oxaliplatin administration. The nadir of platelet count can be as low value of 2x109/L. The dose intensity of oxaliplatin is associated with an increase in spleen size and both of these aspects correlate with the degree of thrombocytopenia. This study is conducted on Albino Wistar rats treated with 0.8mg/kg of oxaliplatin, twice a week for two months. Thrombocytopenia is markedly assessed and platelet count is compared among the treatment and control groups. Abnormalities in liver tissues i.e. pyknosis, erythrocyte filled sinusoidal dilatation and fibrosis is observed in the treatment group with spleen enlargement. This study indicates that oxaliplatin induced thrombocytopenia in rats is associated with splenomegaly and sinusoidal dilatations indicative of splenic sequestration leading to a fall in platelet count.