Effects of graded crude protein diet on serum biochemical parameters of African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) reared in Ibadan, Nigeria

The domestication of African giant rats (AGRs) to supplement animal protein needs in Nigeria and its potential as a laboratory animal model for biomedical research have not been fully exploited. Thirty AGRs divided into 5groups (A-E) were used for the experiment. The rats were fed with feed containing graded protein at 9.83%, 14.79%, 21.21% (control), 23.93% and 27.84% crude protein in feed for a period of 10weeks. They were then sampled on day 28 and day 56 by collecting 5mls obtained from the orbital sinus of the AGRs into lithium heparinized (20u/ml) tubes for serum biochemical analysis. On day 28 the levels of sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine at 23.93% CP when compared with the corresponding values in those other groups. The serum protein level revealed significant differences in the levels of albumin and globulin being higher than the others at 27.84% CP with 4.34±0.13g/dl and 2.76±0.11g/dl respectively. Serum liver enzymes showed that the level of ALT was highest at 9.83%CP with 9.50±0.61iu. Significant increase was also observed in the level of Triglycerides (74.80±4.21) at 27.84% CP. On day 56, there was significant increase in the level of urea (47.00±2.52mg/dl) at 14.79%CP. Albumin /globulin ratio was significantly higher with 1.60±0.29 at 9.83%CP. There was a significant increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with 40.00±1.53iu at 9.83%CP. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the data from this study provide complete biochemical reference data that would be useful in clinical evaluation and management of AGRs. These will also be useful in achieving an appropriate diseases management and domestication plan for this species of animal.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajbr/indexam2021Paraclinical SciencesProduction Animal Studie

Hepatocellular carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing worldwide as well as the associated risk factors, some of which include exposure to aflatoxin B1, Hepatitis B (HBV) virus and hepatitis C (HCV) virus. Mutation of tumour suppressor gene p53 at codon 249ser at exon 7 has been found to contribute significantly to replication of damaged DNA and subsequent tumour progression. The x gene of HBV (HBx) is the most common open reading frame integrated into the host genome in hepatocellular carcinoma and the integrated HBx is frequently mutated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mutant HBx proteins still retain their ability to bind to p53 thereby attenuating DNA repair and p53-mediated apoptosis

A comparative study on stress, anxiety, and depression amongst medical and nursing students in a Nigerian private university.

This study compared the stress, anxiety and depression level reported by medical and nursing students in the first two years of their clinical training (i.e medical students in 4th and 5th year; Nursing students in the 3rd and 4th year). Descriptive research design was employed and the sample size of 102 was calculated by G power 3.1 using the difference between two independent means (two groups). A total of 51 medical and 51 nursing students studying at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso were randomly recruited. Depression, Anxiety and Stress questionnaire (DASS 21) was adopted for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. Medical students reported higher mild depression (78.5%) and mild anxiety (82.4%) but lower mild stress (64.7%) compared with Nursing students viz. mild depression (68.6%), mild anxiety (76.5%) and mild stress (72.5%). Students older than 20 years experienced more depression (t=-3.51, p=0.001), anxiety (t=-3.625, p=0.000) and were more stressed (t=-7.86, p=0.000) compared to those less than 20 years. Also male students are more anxious (t=2.01, p=0.04) and more stressed (t=2.26, p=0.03) compared with female students. Students who had never repeat a course were more depressed (t=2.30, p=0.000), more anxious (t=-5.320, p= 0.000) and more stressed (t=4.904, p=0.000) than those who had repeated a course. Though not significant, medical students are more anxious and depressed than nursing students and nursing students are more stressed than medical students. Age and gender of the students affected the level of stress, depression and anxiety. Therefore, medical and nursing students should be taught on coping strategies to sustain their mental health. &nbsp

A comparative study on stress, anxiety, and depression amongst medical and nursing students in a Nigerian private university.

This study compared the stress, anxiety and depression level reported by medical and nursing students in the first two years of their clinical training (i.e medical students in 4th and 5th year; Nursing students in the 3rd and 4th year). Descriptive research design was employed and the sample size of 102 was calculated by G power 3.1 using the difference between two independent means (two groups).&#x0D; A total of 51 medical and 51 nursing students studying at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso were randomly recruited. Depression, Anxiety and Stress questionnaire (DASS 21) was adopted for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. Medical students reported higher mild depression (78.5%) and mild anxiety (82.4%) but lower mild stress (64.7%) compared with Nursing students viz. mild depression (68.6%), mild anxiety (76.5%) and mild stress (72.5%). Students older than 20 years experienced more depression (t=-3.51, p=0.001), anxiety (t=-3.625, p=0.000) and were more stressed (t=-7.86, p=0.000) compared to those less than 20 years. Also male students are more anxious (t=2.01, p=0.04) and more stressed (t=2.26, p=0.03) compared with female students. Students who had never repeat a course were more depressed (t=2.30, p=0.000), more anxious (t=-5.320, p= 0.000) and more stressed (t=4.904, p=0.000) than those who had repeated a course. Though not significant, medical students are more anxious and depressed than nursing students and nursing students are more stressed than medical students. Age and gender of the students affected the level of stress, depression and anxiety. Therefore, medical and nursing students should be taught on coping strategies to sustain their mental health.  </jats:p

Antidiabetic and haematinic effects of Parquetina nigrescens on alloxan induced type-1 diabetes and normocytic normochromic anaemia in Wistar rats

Background: The plant, Parquetina nigrescens is used in folklore medicine to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications in several parts of West Africa. Objective: To determine the effect of Parquetina nigrescens extract on fasting blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The blood glucose levels, complete blood count, erythrocyte indices and osmotic fragility, body and organ weights were evaluated. Results: Diabetic rats treated with the extract showed significant (P<0.01) reduction of the blood glucose to levels comparable to that of the non-diabetic control and those treated with chlorpropamide (standard drug). Similarly, there was significant (P<0.01) reduction in the complete blood count in the diabetic rats. Discussion: The anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia associated with the diabetes were corrected in the animals treated with the extract and chlorpropamide. The extract also reduced the erythrocyte osmotic fragility, body and organ weights. Parquetina nigrescens demonstrated antidiabetic property by reducing the elevated blood glucose in alloxan treated rats which is comparable to animals that received the standard drug. Conclusion: Paraquetina nigrescens stabilized the erythrocyte membrane, decreased the body weight probably by lowering lipogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying the antidiabetic and haematinic properties of Parquetina nigrescens remains to be elucidated

Assessment of Chronic Administration of Aloe Vera Gel On Haematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Lipid Profiles and Erythrocyte Osmotic Resistance in Wistar Rats

The study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract on markers of hepatic damage, lipid profiles and erythrocyte osmotic fragility using the Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats divided into four groups of ten rats per group were used in the study. Group I which served as the control received 0.9% physiological saline while those in groups II, III and IV received Aloe vera gel (100, 250 and 500mg/kg), respectively, for four weeks. There was significant increase in the haemoglobin concentration while the PCV, RBC count, MCH and MCHC though showed some marginal increases but the increases were not significant in all the treated rats. No significant change was also observed in the erythrocyte osmotic fragility. However, there were significant reductions in plasma ALT (P<0.001), AST (P<0.05) and ALP (P<0.05) levels in animals that received the gel compared with the control while the plasma albumin (P<0.01) and total protein (p<0.05) values were higher than those of the control. All the animals that received the gel also showed significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglycerides (P<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol ratio (p<0.01) compared with the control. In a similar manner, those animals that were administered with 500mg/kg gel had significantly higher (P<0.001) HDL-cholesterol ratio than those of the control. This study showed that, chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract had no significant effects on the haematological parameters of the rats and did not affect erythrocyte osmotic resistance. It however showed some cholesterol lowering action

Assessment of Chronic Administration of Aloe Vera Gel On Haematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Lipid Profiles and Erythrocyte Osmotic Resistance in Wistar Rats

The study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract on markers of hepatic damage, lipid profiles and erythrocyte osmotic fragility using the Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats divided into four groups of ten rats per group were used in the study. Group I which served as the control received 0.9% physiological saline while those in groups II, III and IV received Aloe vera gel (100, 250 and 500mg/kg), respectively, for four weeks. There was significant increase in the haemoglobin concentration while the PCV, RBC count, MCH and MCHC though showed some marginal increases but the increases were not significant in all the treated rats. No significant change was also observed in the erythrocyte osmotic fragility. However, there were significant reductions in plasma ALT (P<0.001), AST (P<0.05) and ALP (P<0.05) levels in animals that received the gel compared with the control while the plasma albumin (P<0.01) and total protein (p<0.05) values were higher than those of the control. All the animals that received the gel also showed significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglycerides (P<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol ratio (p<0.01) compared with the control. In a similar manner, those animals that were administered with 500mg/kg gel had significantly higher (P<0.001) HDL-cholesterol ratio than those of the control. This study showed that, chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract had no significant effects on the haematological parameters of the rats and did not affect erythrocyte osmotic resistance. It however showed some cholesterol lowering action