Physicochemical evaluation of groundwater near Ikot Effanga dumpsite, Calabar, South eastern Nigeria

The Ikot Effanga area of Calabar, Southeastern Nigeria, is located close to a municipal waste dump. The area is defined by latitudes 050001N and 050251N and longitudes 0080201 E and 0080251 E. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the waste dump on the groundwater resources of the area. Groundwater samples were obtained from 10 boreholes located around the dump site. The samples were collected during the peak dry season and peak rainy season for comparison. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Static water level and surface elevation of the boreholes were used to determine the groundwater flow direction. Results obtained were compared with the NSDWQ and WHO standards. From the result, it was observed that groundwater in the area is acidic as the mean pH values were 4.03 and 3.57 for dry and wet season respectively. Other physicochemical parameters analyzed showed that there were no significant variations between the dry and wet season. Also, groundwater from the area was classified as fresh and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. The general flow direction of groundwater in the study area is NW-SE. While the present study showed that the dumpsite does not have significant impact on the groundwater resources either due to geology or natural attenuatio

THE COMPARATIVE ROLE OF ASCORBATE AND CHELATORS IN REVERSING OXIDATIVE STRESS, HEPATIC AND RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN SUB-ACUTE LEAD POISONING

Lead has been implicated in the induction of reactive species production, leading to organ dysfunctions. The ameliorative roles of ascorbate and chelators in acute lead poisoning were comparatively studied in thirty-five male Wistar rats (150-200g), segregated into 5 groups (n=7/Group): group 1(administered normal saline),ª¤? groups 2-5 were orally exposed to 75mg/kg body weight lead acetate (PbAc) daily for 14 days. Pre-therapy blood samples were collected to ascertain blood lead level (BLL) and catalase activity 24hours after the last PbAc exposure. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were then treated with 30mg/kg body weight D-penicillamine; 30mg/kg body weight succimer; and 500mg/kg body weight ascorbate respectively for 10 days, followed by the assay for indices of oxidative stress, hepatic and renal dysfunctions.ª¤? Results obtained showed significantly elevated BLL in the four groups exposed to PbAc. which were significantly reversed about 2 folds in groups 3-5 after therapeutic interventions. Pre-therapy blood catalase activity of the PbAc treated groups was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 39% when compared with the control group, however ascorbate significantly (p<0.05) increased catalase activity by 2 folds above the control; decreased plasma activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine among the groups administered therapeutics. These findings indicate that ascorbate is more effectiveª¤

Effects of Strophanthus hispidus DC. (Apocynaceae) aqueous root extract on antioxidant status in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Strophanthus hispidus is a multipurpose medicinal plant which has been reported to have diverse medicinal uses in the treatment of sexual diseases, malaria, dysentery, stroke, heart failure, gonorrhea, arthritis, diabetes, snake bites, constipation, inflammatory, rheumatism and ulcers. This study investigated the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Strophanthus hispidus aqueous root extract, using the activities of superoxide dismutase, total peroxidases, gamma glutamyl transferase, glutathione - S- transferase , glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, as well as the concentrations of glucose, glutathione, vitamin C, nitric oxide, total thiols and malondialdehyde as indices. Forty rats were divided into five (A, B, C, D and E) Groups. Group A served as control, Group B were streptozotocin – induced diabetes mellitus untreated rats, Group C were streptozotocin – induced diabetes mellitus rats treated with 600μg/ kg body weight of glibenclamide, Group D and E were streptozotocin – induced diabetes mellitus rats treated with 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for fourteen consecutive days. The concentrations of blood glucose, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were significantly (p< 0.05) decreased in all the Groups that received the different doses of extract as compared with the negative control Group (Group B). In conclusion, Strophanthus hispidus aqueous root extract exhibited hypoglycemic and antioxidant functions.Keywords: Strophanthus hispidus, diabetes, rats, antioxidan

GENDER-RELATED ALTERATIONS IN FREE FATTY ACIDS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HYPERTENSION CO-MORBIDLY OCCURRING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Increase in plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations may cause cellular damage via the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of this present study was to investigate FFAs and oxidative stress in hypertension co-morbidly occurring with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Age and sex matched control subjects (n=150) and patients (n=470) [hypertensive nondiabetics (HND, n=179), normotensive diabetics (ND, n=132), hypertensive diabetics (HD, n=159)] presenting at the Medical Out-Patient Clinic of the State Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria were recruited. Fasting plasma glucose, creatinine, urea, FFAs, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined spectrophotometrically. The presence of either or both diseases resulted in significant increase (p<0.05) in the plasma FFAs and oxidative stress marker-TBARS in different compartments (plasma, erythrocytes andlipoproteins) for both male and female patients when compared with their control counterparts. The increase in FFAs was more marked in comorbidity female when compared with other female patients. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in gender FFAs concentrations. In both controls and patients, FFAs in plasma are significantly (p<0.05) higher in male when compared with their female counterparts. This research revealed biochemical variations in hypertension co-morbidly occurring with T2DMcharacterised by gender-related elevation in FFAs and enhanced oxidative stress. Plasma FFAs might be a good biomarker predicting the occurrence and development of hypertension and/or T2DM. &nbsp

Anticarcinogenic effect of alpha-lipoic acid and <i>Jatropha gossypifolia</i> leaves against cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats

Background: Cypermethrin (Cyp), a synthetic pyrethroid developed for agricultural and public health applications, has become harmful to the environment and mammalian life owing to indiscriminate use. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia leaves against Cyp-induced genotoxicity in rats using alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) as standard drug. Method: Fifty-six male Wistar rats, assigned to eight groups of seven animals each, were treated orally for 28 days as follows - Group 1: only corn oil (Control); Group 2: 20 mg/kg body weight (b.wt) of Cyp; Groups 3, 4 and 5: Cyp + 50 mg/kg b.wt of J. gossypifolia, Cyp + 100 mg/kg b.wt of J. gossypifolia and Cyp + 50 mg/kg b.wt of α-LA, respectively; Groups 6, 7 and 8: J. gossypifolia (50 mg/kg b.wt), J. gossypifolia (100 mg/kg b.wt) and α-LA (50 mg/kg b.wt), respectively. The P53 was assayed for using the plasma, while the micronucleus assay was carried out on the bone marrow. Results: Results showed that exposure to Cyp significantly increased the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (86.70%) as well as p53 concentration in both the liver and plasma (200.00% and 125.53%) compared to the control. Co-administration with methanolic extract of J. gossypifolia leaves significantly reversed these alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of J. gossypifolia leaves has the potential to ameliorate Cyp-induced genotoxicity in rats, and also, the toxicological evaluations of the plant extract and α-LA showed that it is relatively safe for use at the doses investigated

Vitamins C and E attenuate lipid dystrophy in tissues of rats administered aluminium

To investigate the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in the deviation of tissue lipid profiles and ways to reduce its effect using antioxidant vitamins C and E, thirty-six male albino rats (120-150g) were divided into six groups with six rats each. Group (1) received normal saline and served as control, Group (2) was administered with AlCl3 (20mg/kg body weight b.wt)), Group (3) was administered with vitamin C (200mg/kg b.wt), Group (4) was administered with vitamin E (200mg/kg b.wt), Groups (5) and (6) were administered aluminium (20mg/kg b.wt) along with vitamins C and E (200mg/kg b.wt) respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples and organs (liver, testis, heart, kidney and brain) were harvested and used for lipid profile determination. The results showed that oral administration of aluminum significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased cholesterol level in plasma and VLDL+LDL and significantly decreased in erythrocyte, HDL and testis. Cholesterogenesis was induced in the brain, liver, kidney and heart. Plasma and VLDL+LDL triglyceride were significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased while erythrocyte and brain triglyceride were significantly decreased. Plasma, VLDL+LDL and brain phospholipid levels were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased and that of erythrocyte significantly increased. There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in rats supplemented with vitamin C and vitamin E compared with control. The vitamins significantly attenuated the affected lipid levels in the tissues affected. It was concluded that administration of vitamin C and vitamin E supplements may be used as therapies against the effects of Aluminium exposure on lipids.Keywords: Aluminium exposure, lipid dystrophy, vitamin C, vitamin E, tissue

Dietary habits and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases in a university undergraduate population

Background: Unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with metabolic changes and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), but these associations have not been investigated in representative populations of university undergraduates in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Methods: This study was conducted in the three universities in Lagos State, Nigeria to assess the dietary pattern and metabolic risk factors of NCDs among university undergraduate population. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 506 undergraduates from the universities. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data on sociodemographic characteristics and dietary patterns. Body mass index and metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity, dyslipidemias, high blood pressure and hyperglycemia) were assessed following standard procedures. SPSS (version 20) was used for data entry and analysis. Association between variables was determined using chi-square and Fisher\u2019s exact tests. Results: The mean age was 20.3 \ub1 3.5 years; 54.7% of them were female. More than one third (37.6%) had no consistent source of income or received less than N10, 000 ($31.7) per month. Less than one third (31.0%) ate three daily meals, 23. 0% ate breakfast regularly, and only 2% consumed the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Almost half (44.0%) ate pastry snacks daily. Refined rice was the commonest cereal (28.2%) consumed while meat was more commonly consumed daily (32.0%) than milk (14.0%) and fish (10.0%). Twenty-nine (29.0%) and 6.2% of the population daily consumed carbonated soft drinks and alcohol, respectively. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (based on waist circumference) was 5% (1.3% in males and 8.4% in females), dyslipidemias (57.3%), pre-hypertension (8.2%), hypertension (2.8%), and pre-diabetes (1.0%). Obesity was positively associated with consumption of alcohol (\u3c72 = 13.299, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Unhealthy diets and metabolic risk factors of non-communicable diseases are prevalent in the undergraduate population studied. Well-recognized recommendations regarding adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains should be emphasized in a targeted manner in this population. Carbonated soft drinks and alcohol consumption should be discouraged to stem a rising tide of metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases among undergraduate students

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acid on dyslipidemia in organs of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the heterogeneous metabolic disorders associated with dyslipidemia, a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular disease. This metabolic abnormality affects virtually all organs. Over the years, antidiabetic drugs which majorly aim at the hyperglycemic aspect of the disease have been used. Therefore, to address this dyslipidemia, omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplement was employed. Its effects on lipid metabolism in the organs (heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen and brain) of alloxan-induced (150mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) diabetic male rats were investigated. O3FA (0.4g/kg b.wt/day) was administered as pre- and posttreatment for 2 weeks. The lipid levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in diabetic rats. O3FA administration significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, triacylglycerol by varying extents, in the examined organs without affecting hyperglycemia in the diabetic rats. The ratio of HMG CoA/mevalonate decreased in the liver of the diabetic rats by 28% indicating increased activity of HMG-CoA reductase. This diabetes-induced dyslipidemia was accompanied by a 28% increase in the activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase. Administration of O3FA to the diabetic rats however resulted in 10% and 17% decrease in the activity of this enzyme in the pre- and post-treated groups respectively. Also, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced (p<0.05) by O3FA suggesting that it has protective effect against oxidative damage. This study reveals that O3FAsupplement has beneficial effects in attenuating dyslipidemia observed in diabetes mellitus and could be beneficial as an adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus

Groundwater sustainability in African Metropolises: Case study from Calabar, Nigeria

Study region: Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Study focus: Urban groundwater is a strategic water resource in Africa that offers a buffer against climate variability. Increasing population, extensive pollution, and climate change threaten the contribution of urban groundwater in compensating increasing freshwater demand. Modern urban areas are often established on productive alluvial aquifers because of the proximity between shallow water bodies and historical settlements. Groundwater dynamics in urban aquifers are complex. Impervious surfaces impede water infiltration, and leakage from water infrastructure contributes to groundwater recharge. In this study, groundwater dynamics of an African metropolis are assessed, and insights into aquifer protection are provided through detailed hydrogeological analysis and numerical models. New hydrogeological insights for the region: The Calabar metropolis (area of 166 km2 and 570,000 inhabitants) is characterized by a tropical climate, with annual rainfall of over 3000 mm/y and large groundwater resources enabling supply for 69% of the population. A simplified three-dimensional hydrogeological model of the metropolis was proposed using USGS-MODFLOW to assess groundwater resources and recharge rates. Recharge decreased to 46% from water-rich rural areas to disadvantaged and highly urbanized communities. Aquifer recharge driven by huge rainfall dilutes the nitrogen content and pathogens, contributing to an acceptable drinking water quality during the prolonged wet season

Dietary habits and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases in a university undergraduate population

Abstract Background Unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with metabolic changes and increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but these associations have not been investigated in representative populations of university undergraduates in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Methods This study was conducted in the three universities in Lagos State, Nigeria to assess the dietary pattern and metabolic risk factors of NCDs among university undergraduate population. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 506 undergraduates from the universities. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics and dietary patterns. Body mass index and metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity, dyslipidemias, high blood pressure and hyperglycemia) were assessed following standard procedures. SPSS (version 20) was used for data entry and analysis. Association between variables was determined using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results The mean age was 20.3 ± 3.5 years; 54.7% of them were female. More than one third (37.6%) had no consistent source of income or received less than N10, 000 ($31.7) per month. Less than one third (31.0%) ate three daily meals, 23.0% ate breakfast regularly, and only 2% consumed the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Almost half (44.0%) ate pastry snacks daily. Refined rice was the commonest cereal (28.2%) consumed while meat was more commonly consumed daily (32.0%) than milk (14.0%) and fish (10.0%). Twenty-nine (29.0%) and 6.2% of the population daily consumed carbonated soft drinks and alcohol, respectively. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (based on waist circumference) was 5% (1.3% in males and 8.4% in females), dyslipidemias (57.3%), pre-hypertension (8.2%), hypertension (2.8%), and pre-diabetes (1.0%). Obesity was positively associated with consumption of alcohol (χ2 = 13.299, p < 0.001). Conclusion Unhealthy diets and metabolic risk factors of non-communicable diseases are prevalent in the undergraduate population studied. Well-recognized recommendations regarding adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains should be emphasized in a targeted manner in this population. Carbonated soft drinks and alcohol consumption should be discouraged to stem a rising tide of metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases among undergraduate students