Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Quercetin Supplementation on High-salt Diet-induced Alterations in Haematological Indices in Wistar Rats

Background: Excessive dietary salt intake is associated with adverse cardiovascular and systemic effects; however, its impact on haematological indices and the potential protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin have not been fully elucidated. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin, administered individually and in combination, on high-salt feeding (HSF)-induced alterations in haematological indices in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats (180–220 g) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 5 per group): normal control, DMSO sham, olive oil sham, HSF (8% NaCl feed + 1% NaCl drinking water), HSF + omega-3 fatty acids (100 mg/kg), HSF + quercetin (20 mg/kg), and HSF + omega-3 fatty acids + quercetin. Treatments were administered orally for 42 days. Haematological parameters were assessed using an automated haematology analyser. Data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test, with significance set at p <0.05. Results: HSF significantly increased red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), red cell distribution width (RDW-SD, RDW-CV), total white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), while significantly reducing haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophil count, and the monocyte-eosinophil-basophil mixed differential (MDX) (p <0.05). Omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin individually attenuated several HSF-induced alterations, whereas combined administration generally produced greater restoration towards control values across erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices. Conclusion: Chronic high-salt feeding induces significant alterations in erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices in Wistar rats, with the combined administration of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin demonstrating greater protective effects than either intervention alone. These findings may suggest combined omega-3/quercetin supplementation as a potential nutritional strategy for mitigating salt-induced haematological disturbances.