Prophylactic Effect of Cyperus Esculentus Milk on High Dose Acetaminophen Model of Hepatic Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Cyperus esculentus is a wholesome nut with notable nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study investigated the prophylactic impact of Cyperus esculentus milk extract (CE) on high dose acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver impairment in experimental rats. Thirty rats weighing between  180-200 g were randomly distributed into 6 groups (n=5). Groups 1 (control given only distilled water) and 2 (negative control given APAP) were without treatment, while rats in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were orally administered 8.57 mg ascorbic acid, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of body weight CE respectively for 21 days. On the 22nd day of the experiment, 1 g/kg body weight of acetaminophen was administered orally to rats in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The serum and liver of sacrificed animals were collected for analyses. CE at selected doses appreciably prevented high dose acetaminophen-induced increase in serum activities (p<0.05) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and concentration of malondialdehyde as seen in the untreated APAP control group. Decreased serum GST activity caused by acetaminophen in untreated group improved significantly (p<0.05) in CE treated groups which was comparable (p > 0.05) to ascorbic acid group. In the liver, acetaminophen decreased the activities of AST, ALT, ALP, however, increased concentration and activity of malondialdehyde and GST respectively (p < 0.05). Pre-administration of CE markedly prevented these effects in the liver of rats that were administered acetaminophen. The present study demonstrated C. esculentus milk extracts prevented hepatic damage caused by high dose acetaminophen in rats. Keywords: Acetaminophen, Cyperus esculentus, biomarkers, hepatoprotective

First line defence antioxidants-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX): Their fundamental role in the entire antioxidant defence grid

The body encloses a complex antioxidant defence grid that relies on endogenous enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. These molecules collectively act against free radicals to resist their damaging effects to vital biomolecules and ultimately body tissues. Based on their response to general free radical invasion, they can be categorized into first, second, third and even fourth line defense antioxidants. The role and effectiveness of the first line defense antioxidants which basically include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is important and indispensable in the entire defense strategy of antioxidants, especially in reference to super oxide anion radical (*O2) which is perpetually generated in normal body metabolism, particularly through the mitochondrial energy production pathway (MEPP). A lot has been published concerning antioxidants and their significance in preventing oxidative stress and the attendant cellular damage, howbeit with paucity of awareness on the fundamental role of SOD, CAT and GPX. The present review tends to articulate important information on SOD, CAT and GPX as first line defense antioxidant enzymes.Keywords: Antioxidants, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione peroxidas

Acute toxicity of 2, 3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (Sniper 1000EC) and response of Clarias gariepinus Burchell under laboratory conditions

The study investigated the acute toxicity of 2, 3-dicholrovinyl dimethyl phosphate (Sniper 1000EC) on the African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus juveniles (mean weight 19.47 ~c 1.05g) using static bioassay method. Sniper 1000EC is an organophosphate pesticide. Each treatment in the acute test was in triplicate with bioassay media concentration of 0,5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/l. Data on mortalities of fish, water physic-chemical parameters as well as changes in haematological indices were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% probability level. Duncan multiple range test was used to separate differences between the means. The 96hr LC50 estimated by probit analysis during the exposure was found to be 8.20mg/l. Behavioural abnormalities of the exposed fish included erratic and uncoordinated swimming and bleached skin with lesion at the highest concentration (20mg/l). Blood dyscrasias attributable to the toxicant was observed with a significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), neutrophils, eosinophil and basophil increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant. These abnormalities in body and blood parameters as a result of exposure to the toxicant make the study to recommend that the use of Sniper 1000EC by local fishermen be banned to preserve aquatic lives in Nigerian inland water bodies

Mathematical model to evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide exposure as a function of gender, age and height

This study develops and solves mathematical models using a time-dependent Fick’s law of diffusion with the tools of non-Newtonian mechanics specifically the power-law fluid model with appropriate boundary conditions to predict the concentration profiles of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) species in the human bloodstream from carbon monoxide (CO) inhaled over some time. The concentration of CO and the length of exposure determines how much harm it does to the body. The model developed prediction compares favourably with experimental results and other models in the literature. The standard error obtained when compared with the experiment is 1.02. The results show that the height of individuals has a significant effect on COHb and CO concentration in both adult male and female such that taller individuals are more susceptible to CO poisoning than shorter ones, but height has no significant effect in children. Similarly, the male is at a higher risk of CO poisoning than the female counterpart of the same age and height.Keywords: CO poisoning, concentration, exposure time,  carboxyhemoglobi

Enzymatic biodiesel production from palm oil and palm kernel oil using free lipase

AbstractBiodiesel from biological materials is receiving attention as alternative fuel. This investigation compared quality of biodiesel produced from lipase-transesterified palm oil (PO) and palm kernel oil (PKO) based on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and fuel properties. Biodiesel yield was optimized using three-level four-factor of Design Expert Software with enzyme load (2.5–7.5%), methanol-oil molar ratio (3-1, 1), and temperature (30–40°C) as variables. Biodiesel properties FAME, Flash Point (FC), Pour Point (PP) and kinematic viscosity were compared with American (ASTM D6751) and European (EN 14214) Standards. PO (>90%) biodiesel yield was higher than PKO (<90%), both with maximum yields observed at 40°C, 3:1 and 5–7.5%. FAME in PO-biodiesel (POBD) and PKO-biodiesel (PKOBD) include Hexadecanate and 9-Octadecenoate, while POBD had more unsaturated FAME (Dodecanoate). POBD and PKOBD had PP 6.7°C and 17.7°C respectively, while POBD Kinematic viscosity (813kg/m3) agreed with both standards. This study showed that POBD could be a better fuel alternative with further improvement of fuel properties

Anatomical studies on the spinal cord of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) II: histomorphology and spinal tracings

The field of neuroanatomy and the knowledge of spinal cord, in particular, requires an accurate base on which data can be mapped. Lately, researchers have taken into consideration studies on Greater cane rat (GCR) because of its large body size and African origin. This study was designed to elucidate the histomorphologic features of the GCR spinal cord. A total of 10 adult GCR (five males and five females) raised in captivity were used for this study. Twenty-seven spinal segments (Cervical-8, Thoracic-13, Lumbar-5 and Sacral-1) were identified. Each segment was transected, processed histologically into Nissl-stained sections and observed features of the spinal cord were described. The GCR spinal segments possess the typical Hshaped inner gray matter core surrounded by an outer white matter. Variations in the shape of the central canals were observed across the spinal segments. A total of sixty-four features were delineated: twelve observed in the white matter, forty-nine in the gray matter and the remaining three were attached to the spinal cord. Laminar organisations, tracts, nuclei and motor neuron groups of the spinal cord identified were also traced and possible functions adduced in this rodent. No sexual dimorphism was observed in this study. This work has provided valuable and qualitative baseline information for understanding the laminar characteristics relevant to pathophysiologic conditions of the spinal cord. It has also contributed to the knowledge of neuroanatomy of this rodent and will be valuable for spinal cord research especially in this species.Keywords: Spinal cord, Greater cane rat, Histology, Laminar organisation, Spinal tracing

Milk Yield and Composition of Red Sokoto Goats Fed Varying Levels of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Fruit Meal Supplement in the Diet

The milk yield and mineral composition of Red Sokoto goats fed varying levels of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit meal supplement was investigated over a period of 84 days. Twenty four (24) lactating Red Sokoto goats averaging 19.75 + 1.26 kg body weight were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with six animals per replicate in a completely randomized design to determine the quantity and quality of milk produced. Treatment 1 was control with no baobab pulp and seed supplement, Treatments 2, 3 and 4 had 10%, 20% and 30% baobab pulp and seed inclusion respectively. The milk yield and mineral composition were significantly affected (P&lt;0.05). Milk yield progressively increased for all treatments to week four where the peak was recorded for the yield with 20% baobab fruit inclusion levels having a clear significant value of 5043.50g, followed by 30%, 10% above the control with varying values of 4905.25g, 4835.60g and 3922.31g respectively. The milk yield recorded a decreased values of 3325.00g, 3189.69g, 3183.25g and 2523.50g for 20%, 10%, 30% and 0% inclusion levels at the end of 12th week. There were significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in the values of Total solids, Fat and lactose. For milk composition; 30% inclusion level recorded the highest values for Total solids, fat and lactose at figures of 17.38%, 5.78%  and 6.64% respectively. The fat content of the milk in the study were at the increasing range of 3.0 %, 4.05%, 4.60% and 5.78% respectively for inclusion levels of 0% – 30% baobab fruit in the experimental diets. Milk produced by the experimental animals on 20% and 30% levels of inclusion recorded the overall best results in term of mineral composition.  The results of the study had shown that inclusion of baobab fruit at 20 % in the diet of Red Sokoto goats gave the highest milk yield  . Inclusion at 30% level also gave better results in term of mineral composition. Keywords: baobab pulp and seed, red sokoto goat, milk yield and mineral composition

An anatomical perspective: does the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) have a scrotum?

We evaluated the anatomy of the “scrotal” skin pouch in an attempt to answer the question of whether (or not) there exist true scrotum in the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus). The “scrotal” skin folds from ten (10) matured male cane rats were morphologically and morphometrically studied with samples routinely processed for histology. Grossly, the pouch has features like fine hair on thin skin and longitudinal raphae typical of scrotum in other species. The histoarchitecture of the “scrotal” skin in the cane rat follows the normal scrotal pattern and the arrangements of the cutaneous strata, hair follicles and glands were similar in animals with perineal staining and those without perineal stain. The cane rat scrotal skin, though different in conformation from the scrotum of other mammalian species, has all the properties of a true scrotum thereby establishing the presence of scrotum in the greater cane rat.Keywords: Scrotum, Greater cane rat, Skin Pouch, Perineal stainin

Housing systems and type of supplemental vitamin-mineral premix in hens’ diets influenced deposition of vitamin in eggs at the late laying phase

Effects of five different proprietary vitamin-mineral premix (VMP) and two housing systems (HS) on deposition of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), D3 (cholecalciferol), and folic acid in eggs of hens at the late laying stage were investigated. Black Bovan Nera hen strain (n=480) aged 59 weeks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments; each treatment was replicated six times with eight hens per replicate. The hens were raised in a conventional cage and an open-sided deep litter (DPL) HS. Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated and each was supplemented with 0.25% proprietary VMP 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the hens in cage and DL in 2x5 factorial arrangement and completely randomized design. At age 71 weeks, six randomly selected eggs per treatment (n=60) were processed and assayed for vitamin B1, folate, B6 and D3. Significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) thiamine deposition (0.063 mg/100g) was in the eggs of hens on VMP5 with similar (p&gt;0.05) content of pyridoxine, folic acid and vitamin D. The HS had significant impact on vitamin D (93.969 IU) and foliate content (51.909 mg/100g) of the eggs in the DPL. Effect of interactions of HS x VMP on pyridoxine, folic acid and vitamin D3 deposition in egg were similar (p&gt;0.05) but was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) for thiamine deposition. Hens from DPL had higher vitamins deposition in egg than cage, while vitamin depositions in eggs were influenced by different the proprietary VMP and HS. Keywords: Deep litter, Battery, Proprietary vitamin-mineral premixes, Vitamin compositio

Biochemical and histological changes associated with treatment of malaria and diabetes mellitus in mice with extracts of Mormodiaca charantia

Diabetes and malaria are prevalent diseases in the tropics. In spite of the availability of various independent therapies for each of these diseases, treatments of patients with both diseases have been quite challenging. Mormodiaca charantia is used in Nigeria separately to treat malaria and diabetes. This present study was aimed at investigating the effects of the methanolic extract of Mormodiaca charantia leaves (100 mg/kg body weight) on diabetic mice infected with malaria. Animals were infected with malaria and induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 1 x 107 Plasmodium berghei and 100 mg/kg body weight alloxan monohydrate respectively. Animal subjects were treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine phosphate, 10mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract daily for five days. Parasitemia, packed cell volume (PCV) and blood glucose level were monitored in the course of the treatment: Antioxidant status, kidney function test and histology of the kidney and pancreas section were examined. There was a decrease in the parasitemia level with a concomitant increase in the PCV, heamoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC) level in groups treated with M. charantia and chloroquine. Blood glucose of all the treated groups decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) at the end of the experiment. The creatinine, uric acid and urea values in the group treated with the plant extract was significantly increased with values 1.23 mg/dl, 2.68 mg/dl and 30.15 mg/dl respectively, however, the group treated with both standard drugs had the highest urea value (51.55 mg/dl). Photomicrograph of the section of the pancreas and kidney of the infected group showed treated with 100 mg/kg of the plant extract showed mild degeneration of the islet of langerhan and mild atropy of the glomeruli respectively. These results support further studies on the use of Mormodiaca charantia as a single treatment for both diseases