Platelet counts and mean platelet volume amongst elderly Nigerians

determining reference values of Platelet Counts, Mean Platelet Volume and the relationship between the Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume. These parameters were determined from 400 healthy elderly subjects comprising 210 males and 190 females. with a mean age of 69.4±7.9 years . 400 young adults were used as control comprising 200 males and females respectively with a mean age of 24.1 ±4.2years. Healthy elderly adults had a mean platelet count of 161.8±3.0 X 109/L and 214.5±3.1 X 109/Lin males and females respectively. Sex and age differences in platelet counts were observed in the elderly subjects (P < 0.05). The mean (SEM) for mean platelet volume for healthy elderly males and females was 9.8±0.6 fl and 9.7±0.6 fl respectively. There was an inverse correlation between mean platelet volume and platelet counts (r = - 0.286, P < 0.05). Platelet count was lower in healthy elderly subjects compared to the young adults control (P < 0.05). The use of separate reference value of platelet count in the elderly is advocated. Keywords: Platelet count, Platelet volume, Elderly Nigerians, Zaria Nigeria

Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.Key Words: Ocimum gratissimum; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoglycaemia, Liver enzyme

Anti-Necrobiosis Effect of Maggot Infestation in Experimental Pig Skin: A Tool in Forensic Medicine

Forensic examination in crime scene investigation (CSI) may involve examination of corpses from outside and exposed environment or even exhumed bodies. Analysis of necrotic tissue is often a challenging work. Though forensic entomology is helpful in determining time of death by linear regression method, this work seek to employ and advance the use of knowledge of the effect of insect larvae in comparing the pattern and nature of necrobiosis in maggot infested tissue and non-infested tissue during forensic analysis and interpretation. Twenty samples of pig skin were obtained, a good choice as a model similar to human skin, ten of which were deliberately infested with cultured larvae of  Lucilia sericata as test and the other ten allowed to undergo natural Necrobiosis without the larvae as control group, all in moist environment. The weight of each sample pig skin is taken every other day (48 hourly). The result showed a significant loss of consistency by autolysis and sloughing in non-infested pig skin more than in the infested pig skin sample and a significant of loss of weight in the two groups of sample (P&lt;0.05). Marked acantholysis was more prominent in the non-infested pig skin than infested Pig skin on qualitative histological comparison. The study suggests that Necrobiosis in Maggot infested Tissue is much less than in Non-infested Tissue

Effects of combined oral contraceptive (Duofem) on some physiological parameters in female Wistar rats

Background: Numerous studies have reported a relationship between oral contraceptives use and cardiovascular disease, altered levels of coagulation factors and thrombosis. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of Combined oral contraceptive (COC, Duofem) on some physiological parameters and elucidate possible mechanism of action in female wistar rats.Methods: Forty (40) female wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks weighing 180-250 g were used for the study. They were divided into four groups (A-D) of 10 rats each comprising 5 treated and 5 control rats. The treated rats received (by intragastric administration), 0.6mg/kg body weight of COC for 36, 48, 60 and 72 days in five-day cycles (four-days treatment with one-day break). The COC was given in 5-day cycles (4-day treatment with 1-day break). An autoanalyzer was used to perform a complete blood count (CBC or FBC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the quantitative determination of Protein C and S Antigen in citrated rat plasma. Antithrombin (AT) was determined by Chromogenic Assays. Prothrombin time (PT), Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were performed using Sysmex CA-6000 Coagulation Analyzer. Serum electrolytes were determined using Audicom AC99000 and liver function tests by ELISA method. Erythropoietin was determined using rat EPO ELISA kit. Fibrinogen was estimated by Clauss Assay.Results: There were significant decreases in haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) counts, lymphocytes (L), prothrombin time (PT) concentration, fibrinogen (Fib) concentration, antithrombin (AT) concentration , protein C (PC), protein S (PS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) in all treated groups compared to controls (P&lt; 0.05, respectively); in contrast, activities of alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as sodium and potassium were increased. There were no significant changes in APTT, mean platelet volume (MPV), EPO concentration, MCH, MCV, MCHC, Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil, Bicarbonate and Chloride in all treated groups compared to controls. Most of the changes in the Physiological parameters were observed in long term exposure group C and group D.Conclusion: Long term used of combined oral contraceptives may lead to more complications than short time use. COC users should be monitored for some physiological parameters.Keywords: Combined Oral Contraceptives, Physiological Parameters, Wistar rat