Neuroleptic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia and associated neurochemical, hematological and histological changes in rats

The study aims to validate the dose of haloperidol (HPL) and sulpiride (SPD) needed to induce hyperprolactinemia in both male and female albino rats and to evaluate the neurochemical, hematological and histological changes in the anterior pituitary gland, adrenal gland, and spleen. HPL (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg/day) and SPD (20 and 40 mg/kg/day) significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum prolactin (PRL) level. They showed hypertrophic reversible changes in the cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Unlike SPD, HPL showed dose-dependent hyperprolactinemia. So the highest dose of HPL and a lower dose of SPD were used for further study. HPL 5 mg/kg/day for 16 days and SPD 20 mg/kg/day for 28 days significantly decreased dopamine concentration in brain homogenate. They also cause an increase in total leukocyte count (TLC) and a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. In addition, Spleen shows signs of infection or inflammation. HPL (5 mg/kg/day) for 16 days and SPD (20 mg/kg/day) for 8 days may be used as experimental models to induce hyperprolactinemia in both male and female rats. The decrease in dopamine level, changes in hematological parameters and spleen inflammation can be used as the markers of hyperprolactinemia.