Consequence of smoke from crude oil contaminated firewood on female reproductive hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers of Wistar rats

The study evaluated the effect of smoke from crude oil contaminated firewood on selected female reproductive hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers of wistar rats. The smoke exposure lasted for 28 days. Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Oxides of Sulphur (SOx), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Methane (CH4), Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Ammonia (NH3) and Particulate Matter (PM) (1, 2.5, 10) were determined in the smoke generated from the burning of firewood harvested from crude oil polluted site. Oxidative stress biomarker (Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) and female reproductive hormone (FSH, LH and estrogen) were evaluated in the wistar rats exposed to smoke generated from this firewood. The air profile values of the polluted firewood smoke was CO (112.3ppm), SO2 (0.61ppm), VOC (3.5ppm), NH3 (2.63ppm), PM1 (0.11ppm), PM2.5 (0.16ppm), PM10 (0.27ppm). The estrogen level in all the groups were significantly reduced when compared to the control except for group 2 which has no significant change (p≥ 0.05). The oxidative stress markers SOD and CAT were significantly increased (p≤ 0.05) in groups 3, 4, 6 and 7. MDA were significantly increase (p≤ 0.05) in groups 6 and 7. These results reveal that smoke of firewood from an oil impacted environment have the potential to elicit toxic effects on selected reproductive hormones and oxidative stress in wistar rats.Keywords: Air pollution, Smoke, Reproductive hormone, Oxidative stres

Aluminum Intoxication Induced Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Male Wistar Albino Rats Hepotocytes

Aluminum is released into the environment both by natural and anthropogenic processes and its neurological effects are well documented but this effect is on the hepatocytes is poorly studied. This study evaluates the biochemical and histopathological alterations in hepatocytes of aluminum intoxicated rats. A total of sixteen (24) rats of eight (8) each in a group were given 3.8mg/kg and 38mg/kg body weight of aluminum (treated groups) and 0.2ml normal saline (control) respectively for days 7 and 14. The protein and aluminum levels, and histopathological  examination were determined using standard methods. The weight of aluminum exposed rats differed significantly (p<0.05) after days 7, 10 and 14. The results showed significant  increase (p<0.05) in aluminum levels in liver homogenate of the group given 38mg/kg, 3.8mg/kg and 38mg/kg  after days 7 and 14 respectively. However, the protein level in liver homogenate decreased significantly (p<0.05) for the aluminum test group given 38mg/kg after days 7 and 14, as compared to the control. The results from this study showed that the liver sections collected from test animals showed proliferation of cells around the portal tract (PT) but the liver sections of  control animals were normal with well preserved hepatic cells (H). This result suggests that aluminum ingestion induced accumulation, biochemical and histopathological alterations in aluminum exposed rats. Keywords: Aluminum Intoxication, Histopathology,Cellular Proliferation

Assessment of Some Commercial Fruit Juices Commonly Consumed in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria, for Lipid Peroxidation Intermediates and Antioxidant Vitamin

Fruit juice are commercially produced and consumed as supplements to normal diet especially in the Northern Nigeria. They could be contaminated due to poor quality control and environmental factors, thereby increasing the risk of food borne diseases in the community. Lipid  peroxidation studies were carried out on some commercial fruit juice products consumed within the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria to determine their safety levels. A total of eighteen samples were used in the study. Lipid peroxidation was determined in the samples using standard biochemical methods.The results show that there was significant differences (p<0.05) on the malondialdehyde concentration in samples D and F compared to the other samples.  The malonaldehyde content was not significantly different (p>0.05). The results show that the ascorbic acid contents of samples A and B were significantly higher compared to sample F. The study shows that some of the fruit juice samples marketed in Makurdi have appreciable degree of peroxidation in them as indicated on their malondialdehyde levels and corresponding low levels of ascorbic acids. The public health importance of these results was highlighted. Keywords: Fruit juice, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant vitamins

Microbial screening of fermented (yoghurt) milk samples sold in Makurdi metropolis and consumed in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Samples of commercially produced yoghurt samples (fermented milk) and locally produced milk samples commonly called kindrimu in common use in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria were microbiologically examined to certify their safety and quality for consumption. While E.coli was present in four of the samples A,B,D and E and Pneumococcus found only in sample D, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Salmonella typhimurium were not detected in any of the five samples A-E. In the locally prepared samples Staphylococcus was detected only in sample 3, while Klebsiella was not detected in samples 3 and 5. Salmonella was not detected in sample 2 just as and E.coli was not dectected in sample 3 alone. Pneumococcus was detected in all the samples suggesting that the commercial samples are safer than the local Kindrimu. Conclusion: Since these organisms like Salmonella, Staphylococuss aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated from both the commercially prepared and kindrimu yoghurts, there is need for proper handling of the production process to reduce contamination