Effects of food flavour enhancer (Monosodium Glutamate and Maggi Poulet) supplementation on glucose tolerance in Sprague Dawley rat

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of purified monosodium glutamate and ‘Maggi Poulet’, on body weight gain, lipid profile, hepatic lipid peroxidation and glucose tolerance in rats. Thirty five young male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups and fed by oral route as follow: group I (distilled water), group II (monosodium glutamate solution), group III (‘Maggi Poulet’solution), group IV (monosodium glutamate solution. and high fat solution) and group V (‘Maggi Poulet’ solution and high fat solution). During the experimental period, fasting glycemia was taken and an oral glucose tolerance test has been performed at the end . Blood samples were then collected in all groups and serum cholesterol and triglyceride were assayed. Animals were killed after and abdominal adipose tissue, liver and heart were excised and weighed. Liver samples were also used to estimate hepatic malondialdehyde level in rats. The results proved that the dietary feeding did not affect the body gain and lipid profile in experimental groups. The hepatic lipid peroxidation has also increased in all experimental groups and at the same time, rats in group II, group IV and group V present a two-hour plasma glucose level signifantly higher. However, purified monosodium glutamate and ‘Maggi Poulet’ at the dose of 1500 mg/kg. b. wt. have not impaired fasting glycemia in Sprague Dawley rat. All changes observed in the glycemia of rats in experimental groups do not allow to qualify them to be glucose intolerant, nevertheless monosodium glutamate consumption in association or not with high fat is hepatotoxic and may contribute to the emergence of prediabetes in human being. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Malondialdehyde, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, prediabetes

Effect of Dietary Intake of Fermented Seeds of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth (African Locust Bean) on Hypertension in Bogou and Goumou-kope Areas of Togo

Purpose: To identify the possible effect of the consumption of fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa (Jack) Benth, Mimosaceae (African locust bean) by humans on the prevention of hypertension.Methods: Two types of populations in Togo were identified and compared: one type was in a region (Bogou) where the condiment (Parkia biglobosa seeds) is highly consumed and the other people do not eat it at all (Goumou-kope). Anthropometrical, clinical and biochemical analyses were investigated in both target groups.Results: Significantly decreased blood pressure and heart beat were detected in the group of people living in Bogou’s region when compared to the non-consumption group of Goumou-kope (p < 0.001). Magnesium level was significantly increased in the Bogou group compared to that in the second group (p < 0.0001). Lower levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (91± 36 vs. 110 ± 44 mg/dL, p = 0.01), triglycerides (111 ± 6 vs. 129 ± 6 mg/dL, p = 0.028), and higher levels of high density lipoproteincholesterol (63 ± 2 vs. 48 ± 3 mg/dL, p < 0.001) were observed in subjects who regularly consummed P. biglobosa fermented seeds. Furthermore, plasma glucose concentration was significantly lower in Bogou group than in Goumou-kope (68 ± 16 vs. 76 ± 15 mg/dL (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa exert an anti-hypertension effect.Keywords: Blood minerals, Plasma lipids, Antihypertensive, Parkia biglobosa seed

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Proprietes physico-chimiques et reactivite comparees des agents coagulants vegetaux dans la fabrication du fromage lacal frais \"wagasi\"

No Abstract. J. Rech. Sci. Univ. Lomé (Togo) Vol. 7(1) (Serie A) 2005: pp. 69-7

Evaluation des performances diagnostiques du mini nutritional assessment (MNA®) chez 112 personnes agees hospitalisees dans le service de cardiologie du CHU campus et 86 personnes agees vivant a domicile dans les banlieues de Lome au Togo

Le but de cette étude est d’établir les performances diagnostiques du MNA® (Mini Nutritional Assessment) à partir de l’albuminémie et du pli cutané tricipital (PCT) et déterminer la prévalence de la dénutrition chez les personnes âgées (PA) vivants à domicile. Il s’agit d’une étude transversale prospective cas-témoins, menée entre le 2 mai et le 30 septembre 2012 portant sur des PA d’au moins 60 ans. Au cours de cette période, 112 malades versus 86 témoins ont été recrutés. Les paramètres d’évaluation utilisés ont été : le PCT, la circonférence musculaire brachiale (CMB), l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC), l’albuminémie MNA®. Le MNA, comparativement à l’albuminémie et au PCT chez les sujets âgés (n=198) d’au moins 60 ans est un test d’une bonne spécificité (81-84%) avec une sensibilité moindre (23-34%). Le statut nutritionnel protéino-énergétique des PA vivant à domicile est fait de sujets diagnostiqués dénutris (8- 21%) selon les paramètres diagnostiques (albuminémie, MNA, IMC et CMB), de 64% de sujets à risque de dénutrition selon le MNA. Nos résultats montrent qu’il faut se préoccuper davantage du statut nutritionnel protéino-énergétique des PA vivant à domicile pour une meilleure prise en charge de leur état de santé. Le MNA peut être utilisé dans cette population pour diagnostiquer une éventuelle dénutrition protéino-énergétique car étant un test d’une bonne spécificité. A l’hôpital où les PA dénutris sont beaucoup plus nombreux, le MNA ne sera utilisé que comme un test de confirmation.Mots clés: dénutrition, personnes âgées, albumine, IMC, MNA®, PCTEnglish Title: Evaluation of the diagnostic performances of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA ®) of 112 elderly hospitalized in the cardiology department of the Teaching Hospital Campus and 86 elderly living at home in the suburbs of Lomé ( TOGO)English AbstractThe goals of this study are to establish the diagnostic performances of the MNA® (Mini Nutritional Assessment) from the serum albumin and from the triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, and determine the prevalence of the undernutrition at the elderly alive at home. It is a transversal study carried out between May 2nd and September 30th, 2012 regarding elderly of at least 60 years. During this period, 112 hospitalized patients versus 86 alive at home elderly (witnesses) were registered. The used parameters of evaluation were: the TSF, the arm muscle circumference (AMC), the body mass index (BMI), the serum albumin and MNA®. The diagnostic performance of the MNA, compared with the serum albumin level and with the TSF of 198 elderly, show that the MNA®, is a test of a good specificity (81-84%) with a lesser sensibility (23-34%). The protein-energy nutritional status of the alive at home elderly is made by undernourished subjects (8-21%) according to the diagnostic parameters (serum albumin, MNA, BMI and AMC, and 64 % of subjects at risk of undernutrition according to the MNA. Our results show that it is necessary to worry more about the protein-energy nutritional status of the elderly living at home for a better care. The MNA can be used in this population to diagnose a possible protein-energy undernutrition. At the hospital where the elderly undernourished are many, the MNA will be used only as a test of confirmation.Keywords: Undernutrition, elderly, serum albumin, BMI, MNA®, TS

Cyclic fatty acid monomers from dietary heated fats affect rat liver enzyme activity

International audienc

Biochemical characteristics and the nutritional status of the fruit of Artocarpus altilis L. (Moraceae) from Togo

No Abstract. J. Rech. Sci. Univ. Lomé (Togo) Vol. 7(1) (Serie A) 2005: pp. 55-5

Infarctus du myocarde chez le Togolais : Facteurs de risque eyt interet du bilan biochimique dans la prise en charge Des malades. Etude preliminaire a propos de 35 cas colliges dans trois unites de soins cardiologiques de Lome

Le diagnostic de l’infarctus du myocarde (IDM) chez les noirs n’est pas aisé. Effet l’électrocardiographie (ECG) présente souvent chez ces derniers, des atypies de repolarisation. Le dosage des enzymes cardiaques devient donc incontournable. Notre objectif est d'évaluer les facteurs de risque chez les malades Togolais atteints d’IDM et de mesurer les activités biochimiques du myocarde chez ces patients, de préciser l’intérêt de ce bilan dans diagnostic et le suivi de ces derniers. Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective analytique, couvrant une période de 12 ans. Chez nos patients les concentrations de CK et CK-MB sont respectivement : 1056±551U/L, 555±741U/L versus 202±59U/L, 4±6U/L chez les témoins. Le bilan biochimique a permis le diagnostic de 17,85% d’IDM au moment où les modifications de l’ECG n’étaient pas patentes. Ce bilan a été réalisé dans les 24 heures qui suivent la précordialgie, seulement dans 40% des cas. Le bilan chimique du myocarde permet un diagnostic précoce et efficace de l’IDM, lorsque l’ECG est encore non concluant. The diagnosis of the myocardial infraction in the blacks is not easy. Because the electrocardiogram in this case presents atypies of repolarisation. The dosage of cardiac enzymes is necessary. Our aim is to evaluate the risk factors upon the Togolese, to measure the biochemical activities of the myocardium and finally, to lay emphasis on the interest of these exams in the diagnosis and check-ups. It is about retrospective analyses covering a period of 12 years. In our patients the concentration of Ck and CK-MB are respectively 1056 ± 551 UL, 555 ± 741 U/L versus 202 ± 59 U/L, 4 ± 6 U/L in the witnesses. The biochemical exams have permitted to make diagnosis of 17.85% of the Myocardial Infaction during the moment when modification of the ECG is not visible. These exams are realised within 24h after the precordial pains only in 40% of the cases. The biochemical exams permit early and efficient diagnosis of the myocardial infarction whenever the ECG is still doubtful