Effects of artemether on biochemical markers of liver function in Plasmodium berghei-infected and non-infected rats

This study aimed at determining changes in plasma activities of some enzymes and concentrations of plasma organic constituents which are often used in the assessment of liver functions in uninfected rats (UNR) and Plasmodium berghei infected rats (INR), following a week of intramuscular administration of artemether (12.5 to 50.0 mg/kg/day). The observed changes were related to the effects of artemether on the liver of the rats. At all the doses tested, the plasma concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin increased significantly in both INR and UNR. A significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of glucose was also observed in UNR. The levels of cholesterol were significantly higher in INR than UNR. Plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was significantly increased in both categories of rats, but more significantly in INR. The activity of plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) increased significantly at 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg only in UNR, while a significant increase was observed at 50.0 mg/kg in the INR. Photomicrograph of the liver revealed progressive tissue damage which was more pronounced in INR than UNR. We concluded that high doses of artemether are toxic to the liver of both infected and uninfected rats.Key words: Artemether, bilirubin, uric acid, plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase, Plasmodium berghei

Effects of artemether on biochemical markers of liver function in Plasmodium berghei-infected and non-infected rats

This study aimed at determining changes in plasma activities of some enzymes and concentrations of plasma organic constituents which are often used in the assessment of liver functions in uninfected rats (UNR) and Plasmodium berghei infected rats (INR), following a week of intramuscular administration of artemether (12.5 to 50.0 mg/kg/day). The observed changes were related to the effects of artemether on the liver of the rats. At all the doses tested, the plasma concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin increased significantly in both INR and UNR. A significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of glucose was also observed in UNR. The levels of cholesterol were significantly higher in INR than UNR. Plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was significantly increased in both categories of rats, but more significantly in INR. The activity of plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) increased significantly at 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg only in UNR, while a significant increase was observed at 50.0 mg/kg in the INR. Photomicrograph of the liver revealed progressive tissue damage which was more pronounced in INR than UNR. We concluded that high doses of artemether are toxic to the liver of both infected and uninfected rats

Sub-acute administration of lower doses of nicotine caused sex-dependent improvement of renal function in Wistar rats

The adverse and beneficial health effects of nicotine (NIC), the major alkaloid found in cigarettes and tobacco, are controversial. Most studies on NIC have focused on its effects on cardiovascular and nervous functions. This study aimed at determining dose- and sex-specific effects of sub-acute (28 days) NIC administration on some indices of kidney function in Wistar rats. Forty rats (20 males and 20 females), 8â9 weeks old (each housed in separate metabolic cage), were used for this study such that graded doses of NIC (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg i.p. for 28 days) were administered to both sexes while each control received distilled water at 0.2 mL/100 g i.p. Blood was collected under ketamine anesthesia (10 mg/kg i.m) for analyses and results obtained were compared at p < 0.05. The result showed beneficial alterations in plasma and urine level of creatinine, urea and uric acid (p < 0.05) as well as plasma and urine electrolyte level (Na+ and K+) in both sexes (p < 0.05). Also, there was significant improvement in creatinine clearance (p < 0.05) with no appreciable difference in their histological examination. Although these beneficial effects were more pronounced in the female than in the male (p < 0.05), administration at the highest dose showed potentially deleterious alterations from normal beneficial trend (p < 0.05) in both sexes. It was concluded that sub-acute administration of lower doses of NIC improves kidney function of Wistar rats; an effect that was more pronounced in the females than their male counterparts. Keywords: Nicotine, Wistar rats, Creatinine clearance, Plasma and urine electrolytes, Renal functio