Presence of nitrites, nitrates, nitrosamines in the eggs of Intensively raised layers in Abeokuta, Nigeria

In this study, the presence and concentrations of nitrosamines and their precursors  (nitrates and nitrites) in raw table eggs obtained from four layer-farms in Abeokuta,  were analysed. Nitrosamines are highly toxic and carcinogenic group of chemicals that have the potential to be formed in the body through a process called nitrosation.  Nitrates and nitrites react under acidic and /or high temperature conditions with  nitrosable substrates usually secondary amines to form several of hundreds of  N-nitroso amine compounds known. A spectrophotometric method was used to assay for nitrosamines and their precursors in eggs (n=5 from each farm), entailing separate analysis of each egg yolk and albumen. The three compounds measured, were detected in all the samples. The nitrates and nitrites levels were significantly higher in the yolk than in the albumen (P<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the levels of nitrosamines and its precursors in the eggs (P<0.05). Findings from this study reveals that nitrosamines and their precursors are present in eggs from these layer farms. These compounds can be potentially toxic, thus constituting a hazard to human and animal health.Key words: Carcinogenesis, eggs, layers, nitrates, nitrites, nitrosamines

Hexamethonium produces both twitch and tetanic depression without fade in common African toad (Bufo regularis)

The study was designed to investigate the nature of the cholinoceptors at the sciatic nervegastrocnemius muscle junction of the common African toad (Bufo regularis). Using myographic technique, the twitch properties of the sciatic-gastrocnemius muscle preparation of the common African toad was studied. Both the twitch height and peak tetanic height were measured as a percentage of control. Hexamethonium at a concentratration of 0.1mM significantly (

Somatic cell counts and bacteria in milk from two nomadic herds in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a major endemic disease affecting dairy production worldwide. Costs of treatment and control of mastitis contributes to major losses to the dairy industry especially if the condition is not promptly and accurately diagnosed, thus necessitating the engagement of regular and reliable means of recognising intra-mammary infections. Somatic cell counting, which has been recognized as a major standard for mastitis diagnosis in milk, was utilized in this study as a direct measure of intramammary inflammation (IMI), along with bacterial culture and isolation to establish the presence of mammary infections in cows from two nomadic herds. Milk from all four quarters (composite samples) of each of 100 cows at various stages of lactation, were obtained and subjected to Levowitz-Weber staining of duplicate smears and direct microscopic counting of somatic cells. Culture and isolation of sterile milk swabs and subsequent identification by morphology, gram staining and biochemical tests were employed to assess the presence of mastitis-causing pathogens in the samples. Using ≤100,000 cells/ml as cut off for non-mastitic milk, sub-clinical mastitis (SM), was determined in 70 (70%) of the examined samples. Contagious pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus species and others as well as environmental bacteria, E. coli and Enterococcus species amongst others, were isolated from the samples. This result circuitously indicates the level of losses to dairy production through poor milk quality and yield, costs of treatment and culling obtainable in the nomadic dairying venture. The need for routine evaluation of raw milk and other dairy products emanating from the itinerant pastoralists, using sensitive and reliable parameters to facilitate prompt diagnosis, targeted treatment and rapid control of cow to cow or herd to herd spread of IMI is highlighted in this study

Effect of Intragastric Administration of Crude Aqueous Leaf Extract Of Anacardium occidentale on Gastric Acid Secretion in Rats

The effect of an aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale on gastric acid secretion was tested in rats. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats were used for the gastric acid assay experiment. The rats were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Gastric acid output was determined by continuous perfusion of rat stomach in urethane anesthetized rats. Control gastric acid output was obtained using 0.9% sodium chloride as perfusate and extract induced gastric acid output was obtained by perfusion with 0.1% solution of Anacardium occidentale Intragastric administration of the extract caused significant increase in mean gastric output (P<0.05). Atropine (5μg/100g,) lM and Cimetidine (5mg/100g), IM. significantly inhibited the extract induced gastric acid secretion via muscarinic and histaminic receptors respectively. Our findings showed that the use of the plant extract as a single anti-gastric ulcer therapy may not involve lowering of acid secretions rather it may be due to its anti Helicobacter pylori effect

Cardioprotective effects of Citrullus lanatus rinds in male wistar rats

Water melon, citrullus lanatus is a common edible fruit belongs to the family of cucumber (Cucurbitacea). The outer part of citrullus lanatus known as the rind is always discarded. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds orally administered on some liver function enzymes, kidney function markers, cardiac risk ratio, and the atherogenic coefficient indices in male wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar&nbsp; albino rats were randomly distributed into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V) of five rats each received 0mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds respectively for 35days. The result showed that the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds was not significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in serum liver enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase) in increasing dose dependent manner when compared with control group. There were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) in serum levels of urea and creatinine with increasing dose of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in rats when compared with control group. The extract showed significantly higher (p&lt; 0.05) values in the serum HDL, cholesterol but there were significant reduction (p&lt; 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and non-HDL values in rats at higher doses of the extract when compared with control group. While it was observed that the cardiac risk ratio, the atherogenic coefficient and indices decreased significantly (p&lt; 0.05) in rats at increasing doses of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds when compared with control group. This may suggest a likely cardioprotective effects of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in increasing dose dependent manner in rats when compared with control group. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Citrullus lanatus rinds can be consumed by animals without detrimental effect. Keywords: Citrullus lanatus rinds, cardio-protective, rats

Melatonin Protects Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatic and Renal Alterations in Rats

Cyclophosphamide (CLP), a cytotoxic alkylating agent with immunosuppressive and antitumor properties is used in the treatment of different types of cancers, but it is known to cause toxicity-induced changes to the body tissues. Melatonin, an antioxidant mainly secreted by the pineal gland has protective properties especially against tissue toxicity. This study was aimed at investigating the role of melatonin (MLT) in cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity of the liver and kidney using serum biochemical analysis and histopathology in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were grouped into four (n=6): group 1 was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2mL of normal saline for 14 days, group 2 was injected with 10mg/kg of melatonin intraperitoneally for 14 days, group 3 was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2mL of normal saline for 14 days and 150mg/kg of CLP on the 15th day and in group 4, the rats were injected with 10mg/kg of melatonin for 14 days and 150mg/kg of CLP on the 15th day. Forty-eight hours after the last treatment, the rats were weighed; blood samples collected for biochemical analysis while liver and kidney samples were processed for histology. The results revealed that CLP-treated rats had hypokalemia and hypochloremia with a significant increase in the levels of liver and kidney function markers. Histopathological analysis showed congested central vein and widened sinusoids in the liver, while there were widened as well as congested urinary spaces and loop of Henle, with loss of glomerular epithelia in the kidneys. The rats treated with melatonin and CLP showed improvement in body weight, biochemical parameters of hepatic and renal functions as well as improved tissue conditions. In conclusion, a pre-treatment with melatonin is recommended in cyclophosphamide therapy

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of aqueous solution of enrofloxacin after single intramuscular injection in layers

The effective use of enrofloxacin (ENX) in control of bacterial diseases of commercial egg layers is dependent on knowledge of pharmacokinetics (PK) and use of appropriate drug dosage formulation that guarantee sustainable and adequate drug delivery. This study aside from determining PK indices of aqueous ENX preparation administered to hens intramuscularly will also investigate the capacity of this dosage formulation in delivering therapeutic and sustainable serum drug levels against common pathogenic bacteria of chickens in our environment. A total of 108 hens assigned to 3 groups of 36 birds each were administered with 10mg/kg aqueous ENX intramuscularly. A parallel sampling technique involving one blood draw from each bird at each of the 12 time points was used. Therefore 3 birds were sampled at each time point. This was repeated in each of the experimental groups. The serum ENX concentration was determined using enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The peak serum concentration (Cmax), time to achieve peak serum concentration (Tmax), area under curve 0-24hrs (AUC), area under the first moment curve (AUMC), clearance (CL), volume of distribution (VD), mean residence time (MRT) and elimination half-life (t1/2) were obtained from Non-compartmental analysis of concentration-time data. The Mean ± SEM of AUC, AUMC, CL, VD, t1/2, MRT, Cmax and T max were; 5.32 ± 0.10, 64.99 ± 2.15, 0.12 ± 0.03, 1.52 ± 0.25, 8.46 ± 0.92, 12.20 ± 0.34, 0.23±0.01, 6.12 ± 0.22 respectively. In conclusion, bolus intramuscular administration of aqueous ENX to hens is capable of achieving therapeutic and sustainable drug concentrations against highly sensitive pathogenic bacteria. This formulation may prove useful in chemoprophylaxis but not in treating acute bacterial infections