Preventive and regenerative responses to 1- isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) butane in annular puncture – induced model of rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration

This study aimed at investigating the preventive and rejuvenating capacity of 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) butanein annular punctured intervertebral disc degeneration in rabbit model.Twentyfive New Zealand white rabbits (1.5 to 3.0 kg each) underwent annular puncture.Group 1 received 50 mg/kg of phosphate-buffered saline orally for 8 weeks (non-punctured group); group 2 received 50 mg/kg phosphate-buffered salinesolution immediately after puncture for 8 weeks (model saline group I); group 3 received 50 mg/kg phosphate-buffered salinesolution after 8 weeks of puncture for another 8 weeks (model saline group II); group 4 received the oral  administration of 450 mg/kg of 1-isothiocyanato-4- (methylsulfinyl) Butane solution immediately after puncture for 8 weeks; group 5 received the oral administration of 450 mg/kg of 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) Butane solution after 8 weeks of puncture for another 8 weeks.Serial X-rays were performed at 0, 8 and 16weeks for the disc height. Upon sacrifice, the whole spinal column and discs were extracted and analyzed for various histological staining techniques (H&E and HVG), biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. There wasdecreased in disc height in the X- ray and was significantly prevented and regenerated after the administration of 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) Butane solution. The histological grade, collagen type 1 and 2, aggrecan, and matrix metalloprotease-13 mRNA expression and histological analysiswere definitive in the degeneration processes thereby affirming the X-ray data. This study therefore ascertain that 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) Butane had anabolic effects on degenerated disc and could provide valuable information for consideration in clinical trials.Keywords: Low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration, 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) Butane,histology

Ergonomic analysis of classroom furniture in a Nigerian university

In most underdeveloped and developing countries, the anthropometric dimensions of users are not deployed in classroom furniture design. This has severe health as well as learning implications. The aim of this study was to determine the ergonomic suitability of classroom furniture at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. 261 (133 males and 128 females) randomly selected students participated in the study. Their anthropometric measures were taken after fully explaining the purpose and procedure of the measurements and obtaining an informed consent from each student. The dimensions of the furniture in all the selected lecture venues were also taken. The level of match/mismatch between the anthropometric measures of the students and classroom furniture was afterwards determined using some criterion equations. The result of the study showed a substantial level of mismatch between the anthropometric measures of students and the dimensions of the furniture available to them for use in lecture venues. In all, 31.8% and 37.2% of the participants in the study used seats that are too high and too low respectively for their anthropometric measures while 18.4% and 50.6% of the participants used seats that are too deep and too shallow respectively for their anthropometric measures. The study revealed that 90% of all the participants used desks that were too high, 2% used desks that were too low and only 7% used desks with heights that fit their anthropometric measures. Only at one lecture venue was a non-zero score (5.5%) returned for a combined seat height – seat depth analysis. The study evidently suggests that many students use unfit classroom furniture which are not conducive for learning.Keywords: anthropometric measures; ergonomics; furniture mismatch; Nigeri

Histochemical assessment of Moringa – oleifera oil and walnut oil on cadmium induced lateral geniculate body damage in developing male Wistar rats (Rattus novergiccus)

The brain is vulnerable to oxidative damage due to its high oxygen consumption. This Study investigate the effects of cadmium on the lateral geniculate body of developing male wistar rats and ameliorative potential of Moringa oleifera seed oil and walnut oil extracts. Seven groups of five animals each were used in this experiment. Group A received 3ml of 0.9% normal saline; group B received 2.5mg/kg bw of 3CdSO4.8H2O, group C received 5mg/kg bw vitamin C & 6mg/kg bw vitamin E, group D received 5mg/kg bw vitamin C & 6mg/kg bw vitamin E + 2.5mg/kg bw Cd, group E received 2.5mg/kg bw Cd + 4mg/kg bw Moringa oleifera oil, group F received 2.5mg/kg bw Cd + 4mg/kg bw walnut oil, while group G received 2.5mg/kg bw Cd + 2mg/kg bw walnut + 2mg/kg bw Moringa oleifera oil concomitantly for 3weeks. Parameter tested includes LDH, G6PD in brain tissues, SOD and GPx enzymes in brain homogenates and serum and cresyl fast violet stain in the brain tissues. Cd administration significantly increased SOD, GPx, LDH and decreased G6PD level in brain tissue and decreased their activity in serum when compared with Group A control rats. There was marked reduction and lost in the distribution of nissl substances of the studied tissues of Cd administered animals. However, administration of vitamin C & E, walnut and Moringa oleifera oil restored damaged tissues. Walnut and Moringa oleifera seed oil therefore attenuated the oxidative damage and morphological changes induced by cadmium in the lateral geniculate body of the brain of the young male wistar rats.Key Words: Lateral geniculate body, Antioxidant, Histochemical, Cadmium, Oxidative Damag

Excessive exposure to sodium fluoride impaired spermatogenesis, induced hormonal and biochemical imbalance and testicular atrophy: Ameliorating potential of bioactive component of Solanum aethiopicum supplementation

Background: Sodium fluoride (NaF) causes testicular toxicity via an oxidative stress mechanism. Solanum aethiopicum (SAE) contains abundant antioxidant and androgenic properties. This study investigated the ameliorating potential of SAE extract against NaF-induced testicular damage in rats. Methods: Forty-eight (48) adult male Sprague Dawley rats (130–180 g, 7–9 weeks old) were randomized into six groups of eight rats (n = 8) each. A: Control received only deionized water, B: 20 mg/kg body weight (bw) NaF. C: 500 mg/kg bw SAE. D: 20 mg/kg bw NaF + 500 mg/kg bw SAE. E: 20 mg/Kg bw NaF + 30 mg/kg bw vitamin C (Vit. C). F: 20 mg/kg bw NaF + 500 mg/kg bw SAE + 30 mg/kg bw Vit. C orally for 8 weeks. Testicular histology, histomorphometry parameters, sperm parameters, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammation markers were analyzed. Results: Sodium fluoride significantly decrease sperm quality, hormones, antioxidants concentrations, and general body weights and significantly increased MDA, and cause disorientation of seminiferous tubules with a nearly empty lumen and vascular hemorrhage but was attenuated with SAE and Vit. C. Conclusion: Solanum aethiopicum possesses pro-fertility properties capable of ameliorating oxidative stress-induced testicular damage with the profound significance that comes with Vit. C combination

Histomorphometric studies of the effects of Telfairia occidentalis on alcohol-induced gonado-toxicity in male rats

Background: Available evidence suggests that 50% of couples with infertility are male related. Over 40% of these males consume alcohol which has been reported to be a reproductive toxicant causing depletions in the epithelium of seminiferous tubules hence reducing sperm counts and sperm morphology. Objective: To determine the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis on alcohol-induced cyto-architectural changes in the testis. Methods: Aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (T. occidentalis) was administered by gastric gavage at a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight daily, while 2 g/kg body weight of ethanol at 30% v/v was administered daily to mature male Sprague–Dawley rats. The experiment was in 2 phases. Phase 1 had groups A1–F1 and lasted for 4 weeks while phase 2 had groups A2–F2 and lasted 8 weeks. Parameters tested include: testicular histology, relative volume density, sperm parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione. Results: In both phases, there were depletions in the seminiferous epithelium, decreased sperm quality and increased MDA and SOD in animals that received alcohol only compared to control. Likewise, a significant increase of seminiferous epithelium of animals that received respective doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of T. occidentalis only compared to control. Animals that received T. occidentalis and alcohol simultaneously had a significant increase in seminiferous epithelium and sperm quality with decreased MDA level. Conclusion: T. occidentalis attenuated the deleterious effects of alcohol to the cyto-architecture of the testis, protected the seminiferous epithelium, reduced oxidative stress and promoted spermatogenesis