Characteristics of lipase isolated from coconut (Cocos nucifera linn) seed under different nutrient treatments

Lipase (triacyglycerol acyl hydrolase, E. C. 3.1.1.3) activity was demonstrated on acetone powder prepared from coconut seeds, under different nutrients condition. Conversion of the free fatty acid releasedto copper salt enabled the activity of the crude enzyme extract on coconut oil, triolein, tripalmitine and olive oil to be determined colorimetrically. Lipase from coconut plant grown under complete nutrient conditions showed high affinity for the native substrate coconut oil. The enzyme acted maximally at 35°C and had a broad optimum pH of 7.5 – 8.5

Kidney Function Status in Nigerian Human Malaria Patients

Malaria is now known to affect over 500 million persons worldwide, killing about 1 to 3 million of them annually. Plasmodium falciparum is the  species mostly implicated in the causation of severe malaria. This study was carried out to investigate the kidney function status of malaria patients in Benin metropolis, Southern Nigeria, to ascertain if there is renal  dysfunction/impairment in them. Plasma levels of sodium, potassium,  bicarbonate, urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were assayed in a total of 152 subjects (112 malaria patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum and 40 controls) of both sexes, with their age ranging from 8 to 42 years. The results observed irrespective of age or sex, reveal a  statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in plasma levels of potassium, urea, BUN and creatinine (4.49±0.95 mmol/L;5.88±0.13mmol /L;16.39±0.36mg/dl and 135.05±2.69ìmol/L) when compared to their controls (4.05±0.34mmol/L;3.73±0.12mmol/L;10.34±0.36mg/dl and  80.71±1.69ìmol/L, respectively) and also a statistically significant (P<0.05) reduction in plasma levels of Na+ and HC03- (128.50±0.77 and  19.98±0.28mmol/L) when compared to their controls (l38.58±0.29 and 24.70±0.36mmol/L, respectively). The hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis observed in the malaria patients are negatively correlated with the degree of parasitaemia (r=-0.241 and r=-0.019, respectively), while the elevated plasma potassium and creatinine levels are positively correlated with the degree of parasitaemia (r=0.153 and r=0.407, respectively). The elevated plasma Urea and BUN levels are also positively correlated with the degree of parasitaemia (r=0.371 and r=0.375, respectively). The results of this study indicate that there is significant renal dysfunction/impairment in patients in southern Nigeria infected with plasmodium falciparum.Keywords: Malaria infection, Kidney function status

Effect of soy protein on serum lipid profile and some lipid-metabolizing enzymes in cholesterol fed rats

The effect of soy protein on serum lipid profile and some lipid metabolizing enzymes in rats fed with cholesterol diets was examined in this study. Rats were subjected to feeding trial over a period of sixweeks on formulated diets containing: 20% soy protein with 0% cholesterol (group A), 20% soy protein with 5% cholesterol (group B), 20% soy protein with 10% cholesterol (group C), 0% soy protein with 20% cholesterol (group D), and 5% soy protein with 20% cholesterol (group E). Serum total, VLDL, LDL, and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were found to be reduced significantly in Groups B and C when compared with Groups D and E (p 0.05). Groups D and E showed significant increased levels (p < 0.01) when compared to other groups. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT), and triglyceride lipase (TGL) activities were found to be significantly reduced (p< 0.05) in groups B and C when compared with groups D and E. Though groups B, C, D, and E rats all showed significant elevation (p < 0.05) in the enzyme activities when compared to the control

Serum urea and creatinine levels in Nigerian human malaria patients

Serum urea and creatinine levels were determined in malaria patients infected with P. falciparum. Serum urea levels decreased significantly (

Liver Function Status in some Nigerian Children with Protein Energy Malnutrition

Objective: To ascertain functional status of the liver in Nigeria Children with Protein energy malnutrition Materials and Methods: Liver function tests were performed on a total of 88 children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM). These were compared with 22 apparently well-nourished children who served as controls. High performance enzymatic colorimetric commercial kits (RANDOX Laboratories Ltd. UK) were used for the assay. Anthropometry, haematocrit, liver enzymes and bilirubin levels of the patients and controls were measured. Results: Serum total proteins and albumin fraction were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in all the types of PEM compared with the controls. There was marked hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia in kwashiorkor. Haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were reduced (p < 0.05) while aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Although serum unconjugated bilirubin was reduced in the PEM cases, its value did not differ significantly in marasmic patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that abnormalities in serum levels of these parameters occur in any form of PEM and are related to the severity of the condition. Key Words: Liver Function status in PEM; Nigeria Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.15(1&2) 2003: 58-6

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Antiretroviral Drugs used in the Clinical Management of HIV/AIDS Infection

The protease inhibitors are potent antiretroviral drugs because the protease activity is absolutely essential for production of infectious viruses. The newest class of drugs is the fusion inhibitors that blocks virus entry into cells. Persistent virus production is facilitated further by sub-inhibitory drug levels in infected cells or by host immune failure. Therefore, pre-existing or newly produced drug resistant mutants can emerge that have a selective advantage under drug pressure. These escape mutants become dominant in the virus population and lead to viral rebound and therapy failure. This review provides knowledge for improvement of antiretroviral drug administration programmes.</p