Evaluation of the Impacts of Taurine on Oxidative Stress Indices in Sera and Brain of Rats Exposed to Cypermethrin

Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide applied for pest control on animals and the environment. Taurine is a putative antioxidant and bioprotective amino acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impacts of taurine on oxidative stress indices in the sera and brains of rats exposed to cypermethrin. Forty rats were assigned to five groups of eight rats each. Distilled water was given to the first group, while the second group received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The Taurine50+Cypermethrin group received taurine (50 mg/kg) and cypermethrin, while the Taurine100+Cypermethrin group was administered with taurine (100 mg/kg) and Cypermethrin. The treatments were given once daily by oral gavage for 35 days. Sera were obtained from the blood samples of the rats after the completion of the study for the determination of the oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde concentration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes). Oxidative stress indices were analysed in the brains. Taurine significantly (P< 0.05) augmented the superoxide dismutase activity in the sera. However, other oxidative stress indices were not ameliorated by taurine in the sera and the brains. Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) did not overtly evoke oxidative stress in the sera and the brains of the rats in this study, probably because it is a moderately toxic insecticide. This is the first study that has investigated the effects of taurine on cypermethrin toxicity. Further research is warranted to expound the mechanisms of action of taurine and  cypermethrin in biological systems. Keywords: Taurine, Cypermethrin, Serum, Brain, Oxidative Stre

Comparative study of chicken egg yolk and quail egg yolk in two chilled canine semen extenders

The aim of this work was to substitute chicken egg yolk with quail egg yolk in two semen extenders and to evaluate the quality of the extended canine semen following chilled storage. Semen was pooled from male dogs (n= 4) of about 18-months old and body weight of about 28 kg. Four extenders were tested: (1) tris buffered chicken egg yolk extender (2) tris buffered quail egg yolk extender, (3) skimmed milk chicken egg yolk extender and (4) skimmed milk quail egg yolk extender. Semen was diluted with corresponding extender in the ratio 1:4. The diluted semen samples were analyzed for motility, mass activity, viability, abnormalities percentage and pH for three consecutive days. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between chicken egg yolk and quail egg yolk in either tris diluent or skimmed milk extender with respect to pH, mass activity and sperm motility. Samples stored in both the tris and skimmed milk-based extenders with quail egg yolk displayed greater viability than those in chicken egg yolk but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Viability, mass activity and sperm motility decreased as treatment days increased in both chicken and quail egg yolk extenders. Results showed that a pH of 6.5 was maintained from day 0 to day 3. There was no difference in semen quality between chicken and quail egg yolk in either the tris diluent or skimmed milk extender (P> 0.05). It was recommended that quail egg yolk could be substituted for chicken egg yolk in the two canine semen extenders. Further modifications of the diluents with quail egg yolk might produce an improved result. Keywords: Canine, Chicken Chilled, Egg yolk, Extenders, Quail, Seme

Evaluation of the Impacts of Taurine on Oxidative Stress Indices in Sera and Brain of Rats Exposed to Cypermethrin

Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide applied for pest control on animals and the environment. Taurine is a putative antioxidant and bioprotective amino acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impacts of taurine on oxidative stress indices in the sera and brains of rats exposed to cypermethrin. Forty rats were assigned to five groups of eight rats each. Distilled water was given to the first group, while the second group received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The Taurine50+Cypermethrin group received taurine (50 mg/kg) and cypermethrin, while the Taurine100+Cypermethrin group was administered with taurine (100 mg/kg) and Cypermethrin. The treatments were given once daily by oral gavage for 35 days. Sera were obtained from the blood samples of the rats after the completion of the study for the determination of the oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde concentration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes). Oxidative stress indices were analysed in the brains. Taurine significantly (P< 0.05) augmented the superoxide dismutase activity in the sera. However, other oxidative stress indices were not ameliorated by taurine in the sera and the brains. Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) did not overtly evoke oxidative stress in the sera and the brains of the rats in this study, probably because it is a moderately toxic insecticide. This is the first study that has investigated the effects of taurine on cypermethrin toxicity. Further research is warranted to expound the mechanisms of action of taurine and cypermethrin in biological systems

Elemental analysis and antimicrobial assay of aqueous leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia Lam.

Elemental analysis and in vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia were investigated. Applying standard methods, the elemental constituents were examined while the antibacterial potentials of the aqueous leaf extract were tested on clinical bacterial isolates using paper disc diffusion method. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Calcium (Ca) 339.5 Mg/L, Sodium (Na) 149.1 Mg/L, Potassium (K) 997.2 Mg/L, Magnesium (Mg) 8.34 Mg/L, Cupper (Cu) 0.140Mg/L, Iron (Fe) 3.17 Mg/L, Zinc (Zn) 0.739 Mg/L and Manganese (Mn) 0.68 Mg/L. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, no lethal amount of toxic heavy metals lead and cadmium were found in the leaf extract. The antibacterial activity was tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Shigella dysenteriae. The results show zero inhibitory activity against the organisms at all the concentrations. It has been concluded that Celtis integrifolia contains physiologically important and essential elements like potassium, calcium, sodium and iron; The result showed that aqueous leaf extract of the plant possess no in vitro antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms.Keywords: Antimicrobial, Aqueous leaf extract, Celtis integrifolia, Elemental analysis, Inhibitory activit

A study of geriatric depression and co- morbidities among primary care patients in Benin City Nigeria

Depression in the elderly is very common but diagnostic rates among primary care physicians is poor. This is attributed to both patient and physician related factors. The patient factors include co-morbidities, aging and psychological mindedness which is culture related. Generally, there’s paucity of psychological complaints among the elderly. In Nigeria, patients present with physical symptoms and Culture Related Somatic Symptoms (internal heat, crawling sensations etc.). Physician awareness of geriatric depression and its distinction from aging is poor.Aim: To define the pattern of symptoms and physical co-morbidities of geriatric depression.Methodology: 170 consecutive elderly patients attending our clinic were recruited.The GDS-SF was used as a screening instrument and the CIS-R as diagnostic instrument. P value was set at 0.05.Result: There was zero presentation of psychological complaints among the sample population. Culture Related Somatic Symptoms, poor sleep and weakness had significant statistical relationship with depression The pattern of physical co-morbidities in the subjects was found to be similar irrespective of depression status.Conclusion: This study found that Culture related somatic symptoms, poor sleep and weakness are strong indicators of GD and should prompt screening for depression with standard instruments in all seniors irrespective of their physical morbidity status.Keywords: Geriatric, depression, symptoms, geriatric depression rating scale

A study of geriatric depression and co- morbidities among primary care patients in Benin City Nigeria

Depression in the elderly is very common but diagnostic rates among primary care physicians is poor. This is attributed to both patient and physician related factors. The patient factors include co-morbidities, aging and psychological mindedness which is culture related. Generally, there’s paucity of psychological complaints among the elderly. In Nigeria, patients present with physical symptoms and Culture Related Somatic Symptoms (internal heat, crawling sensations etc.). Physician awareness of geriatric depression and its distinction from aging is poor.Aim: To define the pattern of symptoms and physical co-morbidities of geriatric depression.Methodology: 170 consecutive elderly patients attending our clinic were recruited.The GDS-SF was used as a screening instrument and the CIS-R as diagnostic instrument. P value was set at 0.05.Result: There was zero presentation of psychological complaints among the sample population. Culture Related Somatic Symptoms, poor sleep and weakness had significant statistical relationship with depression The pattern of physical co-morbidities in the subjects was found to be similar irrespective of depression status.Conclusion: This study found that Culture related somatic symptoms, poor sleep and weakness are strong indicators of GD and should prompt screening for depression with standard instruments in all seniors irrespective of their physical morbidity status.Keywords: Geriatric, depression, symptoms, geriatric depression rating scale

Effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on haemato-biochemical parameters of red Sokoto bucks

Whole cottonseed (WCS) is an important source of protein for ruminants, however, it contains a polyphenolic secondary metabolite gossypol which may reduce its palatability and cause pathophysiological effects. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of feeding graded levels of WCS on the haemato-biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB). After a 14-day pre-treatment period, 20 bucks (n = 5) were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogeneous treatments: control (A); 0 % (B); 15 % (C); 30 % and (D); 45 %. Blood was collected for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and serum analyses at days 0, 45 and 90 of the experimental period for concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The PCV was decreased in groups fed above 15 % of WCS on days 45. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in globulin concentration, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities but aspartate transferase activity was higher (p < 0.05) in group D (45% WCS) compared to the various treatment groups. The urea concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in groups B and D at day 45 compared to the control group. The creatinine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in group D at days 45 and 90 compared to the control group. The serum total protein and albumin concentration were higher (p < 0.05) in groups C and D at day 45 compared to the control group. Our finding revealed that prolonged feeding of bucks above 30 % WCS for more than 60 days exerted considerable deleterious and adverse effects on blood constituents leading to aneamia, hyper-cretenaemia, ureamia, increased levels of total protein, albumin, aspartate transferase activity and death. Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Bucks, Gossypol, Serum, Whole cotton see