Thrombocytosis induced in mice after subacute and subchronic V2O5 inhalation.

Reports about vanadium (V) inhalation toxicity on the hematopoietic system, specifically about coagulation are limited. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the effects of V with a complete blood count and morphologic analysis of platelets on blood smears. CD-1 male mice inhaled V2O5 0.02 M 1 h twice weekly over 12 weeks. Blood samples were obtained by direct heart puncture; Wright stained smears were used for platelet quantification. An increase in platelet count from the third week of exposure was observed, as well as the presence of megaplatelets. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that V induces thrombocytosis and it might correlate with some thromboembolic diseases. Further analysis is needed to evaluate the functionality of these platelets as well as the cause of its increase.