Effect of Sida corymbosa leaf extract on serum uric acid, urea and creatinine levels of alloxan-induced diabetic albino wistar rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Sida corymbosa (SC) leaf extract on serum uric acid, urea and creatinine levels in alloxan induced diabetic albino wistar rats. A total of 30 albino wistar rats each weighing 100g were assembled and divided into three groups (A-C) consisting of 10 rats in each group. Group A received SC treatment, B did not receive SC treatment, while group C served as the control group. 400mg/kg of aqueous extract of SC leaf was administered orally to the rats in group A but not in group B, while group C received only water for 7 days. Blood samples were collected into plain containers for estimation of serum uric acid, urea and creatinine. Serum uric acid, urea and creatinine were analyzed using Uricase, Urease-Berthlot and Jaffe Slot Alkaline picrate methods respectively. Results showed a significant increase in the mean serum levels of uric acid, urea and creatinine after SC treatment, when compared to the pre- treatment status. Similarly, there was a significant decrease in the mean weight of the rats after SC administration. Therefore, SC may have potential harmful effect on the kidney.Keywords: Sida corymbosa, Kidney, Urea, Uric Acid, Creatinine

Effect of cucumber consumption on plasma creatinine, urea, uric acid and glucose level in apparently healthy students of college of health sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Nnewi campus, Anambra state, Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the effect of oral intake of cucumber on plasma creatinine (Cr), urea, uric acid (Ua) and blood glucose in young apparently healthy students. A total of 29 subjects (14 males and 15 females) were recruited. Each subject was advised to abstain from cucumber and similar vegetables consumption for two weeks. Thereafter, they received 400 g of whole cucumber for 21days prior to their daily breakfast. 5mls each of baseline (day zero) and post consumption (day 22) samples were collected after overnight fast into fluoride oxalate and lithium heparin containers for glucose and other biochemical parameters respectively. Plasma glucose, urea, creatinine and uric acid were analyzed using standard methods. There was a significant decrease in the mean plasma glucose level in post cucumber consumption when compared to the pre-cucumber consumption (4.280.46 vs 4.680.35; p<0.05). However, plasma levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine did not differ significantly between pre and post–cucumber consumption. This study revealed hypoglycaemic effect of cucumber consumption with no harmful effect on the kidney. Therefore, cucumber consumption could be of importance in prevention and management of diabetes mellitus. . Keywords: Cucumber, urea, glucose, Uric acid, Creatinine

Effect of cucumber consumption on serum lipid profile and liver aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in apparently healthy undergraduate students

This study was designed to investigate the effect of oral intake of cucumber on Serum lipid profile and liver enzymes (AST  and ALT) in young apparently healthy students. A total of 29 subjects (14 males and 15 females) were recruited. Each  subject was advised to abstain from cucumber and similar vegetables consumption for two weeks. Thereafter, they received  400 g of whole cucumber for 21days prior to their daily breakfast. 5mls each of baseline (day zero) and post consumption  (day 22) samples were collected after overnight fast into plain containers for the estimation of biochemical parameters.  Serum TC, TG, HLD, LDL, AST, and ALT were analyzed using standard methods. There was a significant decrease in the  mean serum TC, TGand HDL profile levels in post cucumber consumption when compared to the pre-cucumber  consumption (4.38±0.39 Vs 3.82±0.33; 1.16±0.29 Vs 0.89±0.22; 1.15±0.12 Vs 1.0±0.114; p=0.000). However, serum  levels of LDL, AST and ALT did not differ significantly between pre and post–cucumber consumption. This study  revealed hypolipidaemic effect of cucumber consumption with no harmful effect on the liver. Therefore, cucumber  consumption could be of importance in prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: Cucumber, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase

Evaluation of liver function tests of HIV positive patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in Nnewi,Nigeria.

Liver enzymes-alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase (AST, ALT and ALP), bilirubin and serum proteins were determined using standard laboratory methods and these parameters were used to evaluate the liver function of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The study was conducted on two hundred (200) HIV-positive patients (100 HIV-positive patients that were not on ART, 43 HIV-positive patients on ART for three months and 57 HIV-positive patients on ART for six months). One hundred (100) apparently healthy HIV-negative individuals served as control subjects. All subjects were between the ages of 18 to 55 years, mean age 33.6±9.0. There was statistically significant increase in the activities of the liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), of HIV positive patients not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Similar increases were also observed in HIV positive patients on ART for three months and six months respectively compared with HIV negative control subjects (