Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, joint pain, and progressive joint damage. It affects approximately 1% of the global population, disproportionately impacts women and is associated with significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, and economic burden. Aim: This study was aimed at determining the changes in some haematological parameters and C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis patients attending Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from the month of June to August, 2023, and all subjects who gave a written informed consent were enrolled in the study. The study population consisted of 50 rheumatoid arthritis and an equivalent number of age matched apparently healthy patients who served as controls. The procedure was carried out at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and standard operating procedures were followed. The results of the tests were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Eight millilitres of venous blood sample was collected at the ante-cubital vein aseptically, 4ml was dispensed into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid containers for the estimations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) and differential white cell counts, while the remaining 4ml was dispensed into plain containers for the determination of C-Reactive Proteins. The EDTA and plain containers were properly labeled with the subject’s name, sample number and date of collection. The blood sample dispensed into the EDTA containers were stored in a refrigerator at 40C while the serum was stored in a freezer at -200C prior to use. Results: The mean values of TWBC, (15.04 ± 13.98) cells/μl, neutrophils (62.67 ± 16.08) %, eosinophils (5.47 ± 3.39)%, and monocytes (4.70 ± 3.12)% were significantly raised in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to controls (8.93 ± 2.35) cells/μl, (51.52 ± 10.79)%, (28.07 ± 10.12)%, (3.28 ± 2.54)% and (1.80±1.29)% (p = 0.031, p= 0.000, p= 0.001, p= 0.002 and p=0.000). The mean values of lymphocytes (28.07 ± 10.12) %, was significantly reduced in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to controls (40.48±10.92) %. The mean value of ESR (50.16 ± 40.87) mm/hr and C-reactive protein (79.16 ± 55.55) mg/dl were significantly increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to controls (6.89 ± 2.09) mm/hr and (8.32 ± 3.03) mg/dl respectively (p= 0.000 and p=0.001). There were no significant differences in the mean values of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, ESR and C-reactive protein in male rheumatoid arthritis compared to female rheumatoid arthritis patients (p=0.886, p=0.695, p=0.881, p=0.652, p=0.341, p=0.516 and p=0.434). A significant positive correlation of C-reactive protein occurred with ESR, WBC and neutrophils in rheumatoid arthritis patients (r=0.32, p=0.011, r=0.44 and p=0.021, r=0.54, p=0.043), and a non-significant positive correlation with lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils (r=0.87, p=0.179, r=0.96, p=0.317 and r=1.06, p=0.398). Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increase in total white blood cell, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes counts, ESR and C-reactive protein. Lymphocytopenia is linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, monitoring the parameters in rheumatoid arthritis is essential for diagnosis, disease activity assessment, and management.

The Methyldopa (Aldomet) a medicine was classified under alpha-2 agonist category, which relaxes muscles and reduces blood pressure by targeting certain biochemical processes implicated in the development of hypertension. The objective of study was to detect the impact of methyl dopa on liver and kidney function. Methods: Fifteen male mice, whose weight ranged between (20-25 gm) and their age ranged between (4-6 weeks), the mice are gotten from the College of Science /University of AL-Kufa. They had been divided randomly and distributed into 3 group, with 5 in each group. The first group (T1) was gavaged with dose of 250 mg/kg B.W, the second group (T2) was gavaged at 500 mg/kg body weight, third control group (C) was gavaged by physiological solution (Normal saline) throughout the experiment by oral cavage method for 60 days. Result: A renal function test showed that the T1 and C groups for urea and cratinine concentrations differed significantly. The T2 group's higher urea and cratinine concentrations than the C group, indicated a significant difference (p <0.05). Glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels (GPT) within T1 group were highest from C group, indicating a significant change within liver function test results. Additionally, the T2 and C groups differed significantly. Glutamic-Oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels in the T1 compared with C group differed significantly. Additionally, T2 differed significantly from the C group. Conclusion: The levels of creatinine and serum urea were markedly elevated by methyldopa. Caused the levels of the liver enzymes ALT and AST to rise noticeably as well. Methyldopa overdoses can cause liver damage. Increased transaminase levels attest to this injury. Excessive methyldopa dosage can cause kidney damage, which is confirmed by high urea and creatinine.