Aluminum (Al) is a nonessential element and humans are constantly exposed to Al as a result of an increase in industrialization and improving technology practices. Al toxicity can induce several clinical disorders such as neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, bone diseases, and anemia. This study aimed at evaluating the possible effects of short term and low dose Al exposure on hemorheological and hematological parameters in rats. Fourteen young, male Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: 1 mg/200 g body weight of aluminum sulfate (Al(2)(SO(4))(3) was injected intraperitoneally to the first group for two weeks, three times a week. The animals of the control group received only physiological saline solution during this period. At the end of the experimental period, anticoagulated blood samples were collected and hematological parameters were determined using an electronic hematology analyzer. Red blood cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation were measured using an ektacytometer (LORCA) and plasma and whole blood viscosities were determined with a Wells-Brookfield cone-plate rotational viscometer. Significant decreases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell (RBC) deformability at low shear stress levels, the aggregation half time (t1/2) and the amplitude (AMP) of aggregation and significant increments in whole blood viscosity (WBV) at native and 40% hematocrit (Hct) of Al-treated rats have been observed. In conclusion, low dose Al(2)(SO(4))(3) exposure for a short-time may be responsible for alterations in either rheological properties of blood or hemorheological properties through a remarkable effect on RBC membrane mechanical properties . These alterations may also play an important role in the development of anemia in the Al-treated animals
