Association between blood pressure and urinary electrolytes in a population of nonurban-dwelling Nigerians

Background: Little is known about the association between blood pressure and urinary electrolytes in young adult, nonurban-dwelling, sub-Saharan Africans. This study attempts to provide such data in a Nigerian population. Patients and Methods: Four hundred Nigerians (50% female) aged 19-40 years were studied. Their blood pressures (BPs), anthropometric variables, and overnight urinary sodium, and potassium concentrations (UNaC and UKC respectively) were measured using standard procedures. Associations between measures of BP and the other parameters were examined using appropriate statistical tools.Results: UNaC was correlated significantly with only diastolic BP (DBP) (r = +0.105, P = 0.037). Similarly, UNaC was significantly associated with DBP and mean BP (MBP) (b = +0.158, P = 0.018 and b = +0.155, P = 0.020, respectively). UKC was not associated with, nor correlated with, any measure of BP. There was no significant mean difference (P > 0.05) between the sexes for measures of BP and urinary electrolytes.Conclusion: Urinary sodium (but not potassium) concentration was weakly correlated with only DBP, and weakly associated with only DBP and MBP in the studied population. The results support (modestly) the hypothesis that dietary sodium intake may be related to elevated blood pressure

Oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase activity in brain of rats fed with diet containing permethrin

Many pesticides have been reported to cause a lot of health problems in workers, users and non-target organisms in the environment. Permethrin containing insect pesticide has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms. However, the underlying mechanism involved inthe toxicity is not well understood. The present study was envisaged to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in permethrin neurotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates of Wistar rats. Oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups compared with their parallel controls. Concomitantly, the activity of SOD was found to decrease or increase significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared with their controls. Our result also showed that activity of SOD was aged and concentration dependent. Hence, the newly weaned ratsappear to be more susceptible to the pesticide contaminated diet because the SOD activity decreased more in the brain homogenates compared with the middle aged rats or aged rats. Observed aggressive behaviour was noticed in the pesticide exposed rats, hence a possibleneurobehavioral effect. The result demonstrated that the pyrethroid insect powder exerts its toxic effect by promoting oxidative stress in the brain and this may affect normal brain functioning and growth

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NOVEL HERBOSPHERES DELIVERY SYSTEM OF LEAF EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DEL (ASTERACEAE)

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to formulate herbospheres of V. amygdalina leaf-extract and to study the in vitro and antibacterial properties of the formulationsVernonia amygdalina, Del (Asteraceae) is a tropical shrub used throughout West Africa for the management of diabetes and other metabolic diseases associated with the liver. The plant has acquired special relevance recently, having been proved in human medicine to possess potent antimalarial, antihelmintic, and antitumorigenic properties.Methods: Herbospheres were formulated with lipid matrices consisting of goat fat (70%) and Phospholipon® 90H (30%) by melt homogenization and characterized for taste masking, particle size, pH, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. Inhibition zone diameter of the herbospheres was studied.Results: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, protein, steroids, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides in substantial quantities. Acid compounds and oils were, however, absent. The particle size of herbospheres ranged from 6.90±0.2 to 28.50±0.71 μm and was significantly affected by the type of surfactant used (p &lt; 0.05). The pH ranged from 5.6 to 5.9 at day 1 and 4.1 to 4.4 at 30 days. Highest EE of 90–92 % was obtained and was significantly affected by surfactant used (p&lt;0.05). Formulations exhibited significantly higher inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than tetracycline pure sample used as the reference drug (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: V. amygdalina herbospheres formulations had antibacterial properties in addition to taste masking and high encapsulation of the extract

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&lt;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

Pattern of childhood and adolescent malignancies at a tertiary health institution in South-east Nigeria : A ten year study

Background: Cancer remains a major cause of death in children and adolescents, and differs in adults in nature, distribution and prognosis1. A culture of case documentation is lacking in our environment and many cases go unreported.Study objectives: To document the pattern of childhood and adolescent malignancies at a tertiary health institution in south-east Nigeria over a ten year period (January 2004 to December 2013)Methodology: Details of all children and adolescents aged 18 years and below treated for malignancy were extracted from the cancer registry and the records unit of the histopathology department for the period beginning at January 2004 to December 2013 at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria. Information retrieved was verified against the hospital admission register, as well as the medical and histopathology records for all cancer patients over the period of interest.Results: Eighty-five cases of childhood and adolescent malignancy were treated at NAUTH, Nnewi between January 2004 and December 2013. Median age of the study population was 9years, with a range of 0.1– 18years, more males (56.50%) than females (43.50%). Commonest tumours were the Lymphomas (11.76%) comprising Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (80%), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (10%) and Large-cell lymphoma (10%), the Leukaemias (11.76%) comprising Acute myeloblastic leukaemia (80%) and Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (20%). Others were Rhabdomyosarcoma (11.76%), Nephroblastoma (11.76%), Retinoblastoma (5.88%), Ovarian tumours (4.71%), the Soft tissue sarcomas-excluding rhabdomyosarcoma (3.53%) and Osteogenic sarcoma (3.35%)’.Conclusion: Study findings suggest that lymphoma, leukaemia, rhabdomyosarcoma and nephroblastoma are the commonest childhood and adolescent malignancies in south-east Nigeria.Keywords: Childhood, Adolescent, Malignanc

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

Micro-algae come of age as a platform for recombinant protein production

A complete set of genetic tools is still being developed for the micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Yet even with this incomplete set, this photosynthetic single-celled plant has demonstrated significant promise as a platform for recombinant protein expression. In recent years, techniques have been developed that allow for robust expression of genes from both the nuclear and plastid genome. With these advances, many research groups have examined the pliability of this and other micro-algae as biological machines capable of producing recombinant peptides and proteins. This review describes recent successes in recombinant protein production in Chlamydomonas, including production of complex mammalian therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies at levels sufficient for production at economic parity with existing production platforms. These advances have also shed light on the details of algal protein production at the molecular level, and provide insight into the next steps for optimizing micro-algae as a useful platform for the production of therapeutic and industrially relevant recombinant proteins

Serum Electrolytes And Blood Pressure Of Apparently Healthy Nigerians

The serum electrolytes and blood pressures of apparently healthy Nigerians were studied. A total of 121 subjects took part in the study. The serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, CL-, HCO3 -) and blood pressure were measured by standard methods. The mean(±SD) serum sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations were 142.15±15.16, 5.17±1.04, 98.50±11.22 and 26.55±8.17 mEq/L respectively while the mean (±SD) systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 117.67±11.75 and 73.21±9.64 mm/Hg respectively. The mean blood pressure and serum concentrations of the electrolytes generally fall within the reference range though some were outside the normal range.The mean serum level of potassium was found to be higher than results obtained from other regions of the country while the mean sodium and chloride ions concentrations were lower than the results obtained from Zaria, northern Nigeria. It is likely that both geographical locations and dietary habits among Nigerians might influence these differences. The study suggests that in interpreting results of electrolytes and blood pressure for clinical uses, both geographic (climatic) conditions and dietary factors should be considered

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a semi-urban Nigerian hypertensive population

The prevalence of high blood pressure and other associatedcardiovascular risk factors in a semi-urban Nigerian community werestudied. A total of 425 subjects aged 35 years and above took part in the cross sectional survey held at Nsukka, Nigeria. A detailed questionnaire was administered to the subjects to ascertain their risk levels consequent upon life style and genetic disposition. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by standard methods. Fasting blood samples were drawn from the subjects for biochemical assays. Generally, hypertension prevalence [SBP > 140 mm Hg] was 74.77% in men and 68.59% in women. Men were more likely to be obese than the women. Stages II and III hypertension were more frequent in females while stage I hypertension was more frequent in males. The concurrence of hypertension, body mass index (BMI) and serum glucose were more likely in females while the simultaneous occurrence of BMI an