Haematological and immunological effect of coadministration of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica on normal and diabetic rats

This study evaluated the effect of co-administration of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) and Azadirachta indica Linn.(AI) on haemapoietic and immunological indices of normal and diabetic rats. White blood cells which were non-significantly decreased (p>0.05) in diabetic control rats relative to the normal control, respectively increased and decreased non-significantly (p>0.05) upon administration of the combined extracts of VA and AI to diabetic and non-diabetic test rats. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin content and red cell count as well as its derived factors (mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration) of both diabetic and non-diabetic rats were not affected by the treatment, relative to their respective controls. As compared to insulin treatment, the combined extracts significantly increased (p<0.05) mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of diabetic rats. Platelets number which was non-significantly lower (p>0.05) in diabetic control rats as compared to non-diabetic control was further decreased non-significantly (p>0.05) upon administration of the combined extracts and insulin. Diabetes induction significantly increased CD4+ count (p<0.05) as compared to the normal control. This was however decreased significantly (p<0.05) upon treatment with the combined extracts and insulin. The combined extract similarly decreased CD4+ counts in normal test rats as compared to the normal control. Combined extracts of VA and AI is non-haematotoxic and may possess some anti-inflammatory properties when used as a management against diabetes mellitus.Key words: Diabetes, haematological and immunological indices, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica

Haematoxic Effects Following Ingestion Of Nigerian Crude Oil And Crude Oil Polluted Shellfish By Rats

The haematological effects following ingestion of shellfish exposed to crude oil polluted water or the pollutant perse were investigated in albino Wistar rats. Feeding of four groups of rats for 28 days duration with two reference casein or shellfish protein control diets (Group A and B), and two test diets (Group C and D) supplemented at varying levels with shellfish which had been previously exposed to crude oil polluted water and the oral gavaging with crude oil at the rate of 3, 6 and 9 ml/kg body weight per day to three groups (groups II, III and IV respectively) of rats for 7 days duration resulted in changes in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) of rats. Group C and D respectively fed 10% and 20% polluted shellfish diets recorded significant (P < 0.05) decreases in PCV and RBC counts while Hb concentration and WBC counts increased. Groups II, III and IV gavaged with varying doses of crude oil recorded significant (P < 0.05 – 0.01) dose dependent decrease in PCV and RBC counts when compared to controls (group 1). Hb and WBC counts also increased for these groups but the increase was only significant for WBC counts (P < 0.05) when compared with controls. The results suggest that the ingestion of shellfish exposed to crude oil polluted water or the polluted perse results in haematotoxicity. Key words: Haematological Indices, Crude Oil, Shellfish Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 1-

Influence of Chronic Administration of Chloroquine on Leydig Cell Integrity and Testosterone Profile of Albino Wistar Rats

The effect of chronic administration of chloroquine on leydig cells and plasma testosterone level was examined. Twenty-five albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups –– A, B, C, D and E. Group A animals received a normal dose of 0.57mg per kg body weight of chloroquine for 3 days. Groups B, C and D received chronic doses of 0.57 mg per kg body weight of chloroquine for 4, 5 and 6 days respectively. Group E animals, which served as control, were administered normal saline. Historical examination of the process sections of groups B, C and D indicated numerical reduction of the leydig cells when compared with the control group. Group A appeared normal. The basement membrane of the seminiferous epithelium in groups C, C and D were disrupted, leading to the detachment of many spermatocytes. Groups B, C and D recorded reduced level of plasma testosterone when compared with the control group. However, the concentration of plasma testosterone in group A (2.15 1.63g/ml) and control (2.40 ± 1.48g/ml) were similar. Chromic administration of chloroquine reduced the number of leydig cells with concomitant reduction of testosterone production. It also disrupted seminiferous epithelium, leading to the detachment of spermotocytes. (Afr J Reprod Health 1999; 3 [2]: 97-101) Key Words: Chloroquine, leydig cells, testosterone, seminiferous epitheliu

Storage beyond Three Hours at Ambient Temperature Alters the Biochemical and Nutritional Qualities of Breast Milk

The effect of storage on stability of human breast milk was investigated in 30 lactating mothers. Samples stored for 3, 6 and 24 hours at ambient temperature of 302K (29°) were analysed for protein, lactose, pH, and microbial content. There were significant (p < 0.01) decreases in protein, lactose and pH upon storage for 6 and 24 hours, compared with storage for 3 hours as control. The mean ± SEM values for protein for 6 and 24 hours were 15.56 ± 0.48 and 13.27 ± 0.50, compared to 17.26 ± 0.41 for 3 hours. For lactose, corresponding values for 6 and 24 hours were 0.08 ± 0.005 and 0.07 ± 0.006, compared with 3 hours (0.09 ± 0.005). The pH values were 6.1 ± 0.09, 5.9 ± 0.07 and 5.6 ± 0.07 in 3, 6 and 24 hour samples respectively. The skin floras investigated were Streptococcus viridians, Straphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus. The microbial content increased with increase in storage time from 3 to 24 hours. The predominant bacterial species was S. albus, followed by S. viridians and S. aureus. A positive correlation (r = 0.453, p < 0.01) between lactose level and pH were obtained. These results suggest that breast milk is stable for 3 hours, beyond which significant changes occur in its biochemical composition and nutritional quality. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to their consequences on the child's survival. (Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5[2]: 130-134) RÉSUMÉ La Conservation au-delà de trois heures à une température ambiante modifie les qualités biochimiques et nutritionnelles du lait maternel. L'effet de la conservation sur la stabilité du lait maternel humain a été étudié chez 30 mères allaitantes. Les échantillions qui ont été conservés pendant 3, 6 et 24 heures à une température ambiante de 302K (29 degrés) ont été analysés pour déterminer la présence de la protéine, du lactose pH et du contenu microbien. Il y a eu des baisses importantes (P < 0.01) par rapport à la protéine, au lactose et pH quand ils sont conservés pour 6 et 24 heures en comparaison à la conservation de 3 heures comme cas témoin. Les valeurs moyennes ± SEM pour la protéine pour 6 et 24 heures étaient de 15, 56 ± 0,48 et 13, 27 ± 0, 50 comparée à 17, 26 ± 0, 41 pour 3 heures. En ce qui concerne le lactose, les valeurs correspondantes pour 6 et 24 heures étaient de 0,08 ± 0,005 et 0,07 ± 0,006,comparée à 3 heures (0,09 ± 0,005). Les valeurs pH étaient de 6,1 ± 0,09, 5,9 ± 0,07 dans les échantillons de 3,6 et 24 heures respectivement. Les flores entanées qui ont été étudiées étaient Streptocoques viridians, Staphylocoques aureus et Staphylocoques blanc. Le contenu microbien a augmenté au fur et à mesure que la durée de la conservation a augmenté de 3 à 24 heures. L'espèce de la bactérien prédominante était Staph. albus, suivie de Strep. viridians et Staph. aureus. Une corrélation positive (r = 0,453, p < 0,01) entre le niveau de lactose et pH a été obtenue. Ces résultats suggèrent que le lait du sein reste stable pendant 3 heures et qu'au-delà de cela il se produit des modifications importantes dans la composition biochimiques et dans la qualité nutritionnelle. Nous avons discuté les implications des ces résultats par rapport à leurs conséquences sur la survie de l'enfant. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2001; 5[2]: 130-134) KEY WORDS: Breast milk, storage time, microbial content, biochemical composition, nutritional qualit

Vernonia amygdalina Del: A potential prophylactic anti-diabetic agent in lipid complication

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (1) 2007: pp. 103-10

Effect Of Inhalation Exposure To Kerosene And Petrol-Fumes On Some Anaemia-Diagnostic Indices In Rats

Changes in total body weight, some anaemia-diagnostic indices (haematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and total serum protein) were determined in rats (Wistar albino strain) after 2 weeks of 4 hours daily inhalation exposure to ungraded concentrations of kerosene and petrol fumes. The results obtained for those rats exposed to petrol and kerosene fumes showed a significant decrease (

Theobromine rich cocoa powder induces weight loss and changes in lipid profile of obese wistar rats

No Abstract.Discovery and Innovation Vol. 18 (3) 2006: pp. 191-19