Antibiotics Administration and its Possible Liver Damage

The effect of antibiotics on two liver enzymes – serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) also known as glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – was studied in a population of adults in Nsukka, Enugu state Nigeria. Standard clinical methods were used for the assays. The results show statistically significant increase (p0.05) between the means of both ALT and ALP for the different sexes. There were however, statistically significant differences (

Antidiabetic effect of chloroform - methanol extract of Abrus precatorius linn seed in alloxan diabetic rabbit

The antidiabetic effect of chloroform-methanol extract of Abrus precatorious seed, was studied in alloxan diabetic rabbits. The effect was compared to that of chlorpropamide - a known antidiabetic drug in the class of sulphonylurea and a control group that received normal saline instead of the extract. Normal blood glucose levels drawn before the alloxan injection were 127.80 ± 2.55, 114.30 ± 4.17 and 123.60 ± 1.47 mg/100ml for chloroform-methanol, chlorpropamide and control respectively. When 50mg/kg body weight of chloroform-methanol, chlorpropamide and 5ml of normal saline for control were given orally, blood glucose levels decreased in chloroform-methanol and chlorpropamide groups of alloxan diabetic rabbits but not in control. The percentage reduction of blood glucose of chlorpropamide was 13.8, 32.3, 60.3, 53.5, 46.8, 46.3 and 46.2 after 05, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 68 hours of oral administration respectively, while that of chloroform - methanol extract was 42.9, 58.7, 67.4, 69.1, 67.9, 56.6 and 51.8% respectively. The peak percentage reduction was 69.1% after 30 hrs. and 61.3% after 20 hrs for chloroform-methanol extract and chlorpropamide respectively. This study therefore has shown that the chloroform-methanol extract of Abrus precatorius seed has some antidiabetic properties similar to that of chlopropamide. This is shown in their similar percentage reduction in blood glucose level. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(1) 2005: 85-8

Effect of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium on some indices of liver function in rats

No Abstract. Global Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 17-2

Changes in plasma lipid peroxide and ascorbic acid levels in diabetes mellitus and clinical significance in an urban, Nigerian population

Design and method: This study was conducted on the relationship between plasma lipid peroxides, ascorbic acid levels and diabetes mellitus. Forty two diabetic patients (24 males and 18 females) age grouped between 40 - 60 years were studied in the diabetic clinic of Federal Medical Centre Owerri. Controls were patients who had normal fasting blood sugar levels. Results: This study revealed a significant increase in plasma lipid peroxidase levels ( using) malondialdehyde-MDA- as marker for lipid perioxidation) in diabetic patients ( 6.27±0.52nmol MDA/ml) when compared to the plasma lipid peroxide level in control group (4.98±0.52) nmol MDA/ml) at

Lipase activity in some Cucubitaceae species

Lipase activity was demonstrated in the endosperm of three varieties of both germinated and ungerminated seeds of Cucubitaceae: white melon (Cucumeropsis manii naud); yellow melon (Colocynthis vulgaris); pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Fractionation of homogenates by centrifugation yields that fat layer (lipid bodies), supernatant (water soluble fraction), and particulate fraction (pellets) with lipase located in all the fractions. The highest activity was determined in the lipid body fraction. However, a mixture of the lipid bodies and supernatant gave a much higher activity than the lipid body alone. Preparation of the supernatant at different pH's (4.0–9.0) and treating the supernatant with different concentrations of (NH4) 2SO4, further separated the lipid bodies with separation increasing as pH increases from 6.0 – 9.0. Separation of lipid bodies did not occur below pH 4 no enzyme activity was detected in the supernatant after precipitation with 90% (NH4) 2SO4. Lipase was tightly bound to the lipid body membranes as it resisted solubilisation by repeated washing with buffers and NaCl solutions. Ultrasonication of the lipid bodies and treatment with diethyl-ether extracted triacylglycerols from the lipid bodies with lipase activity being recovered in the membrane fractions. Bio-Research Vol. 3(1) 2005: 66-7

Serum urea and creatinine levels in Nigerian human malaria patients

Serum urea and creatinine levels were determined in malaria patients infected with P. falciparum. Serum urea levels decreased significantly (

Liver Function Status in some Nigerian Children with Protein Energy Malnutrition

Objective: To ascertain functional status of the liver in Nigeria Children with Protein energy malnutrition Materials and Methods: Liver function tests were performed on a total of 88 children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM). These were compared with 22 apparently well-nourished children who served as controls. High performance enzymatic colorimetric commercial kits (RANDOX Laboratories Ltd. UK) were used for the assay. Anthropometry, haematocrit, liver enzymes and bilirubin levels of the patients and controls were measured. Results: Serum total proteins and albumin fraction were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in all the types of PEM compared with the controls. There was marked hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia in kwashiorkor. Haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were reduced (p < 0.05) while aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Although serum unconjugated bilirubin was reduced in the PEM cases, its value did not differ significantly in marasmic patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that abnormalities in serum levels of these parameters occur in any form of PEM and are related to the severity of the condition. Key Words: Liver Function status in PEM; Nigeria Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.15(1&2) 2003: 58-6