Alterations in brain histomorphology and some homogenate antioxidant bio-pointers in L-arginine co-exposed aspartameassaulted rats

Assault-related oxidant effect of aspartame, an excitatory-non-nutritive sweetener, could be influenced by L-arginine, the sole precursor of a conditional antioxidant, nitric oxide. Herein, alterations in brain histomorphology and some homogenate antioxidant biopointers in L-arginine co-exposed aspartame-assaulted rats’ were evaluated in thirty male Wistar rats by standard protocols. Group A rats, control, were exposed to distilled water and had free access to feed. Groups B, C, D, E and F rats were, respectively exposed to aspartame (1000 mg/kg), aspartame (1000 mg/kg) plus Vitamin C (100 mg/kg), L-arginine (20 mg/kg), aspartame (1000 mg/kg) plus L-arginine (20 mg/kg) and aspartame (1000 mg/kg) plus L-arginine (40 mg/kg). Exposure to aspartame for twenty-one days caused a significantly increased  (p<0.05) catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, reduced glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and total protein concentrations but non-significantly reduced (p>0.05) ferric reducing antioxidant power in the rats’ brain homogenate, compared to  others. Brain histology of Groups A and F rats were preserved, compared to others. Thus, aspartame significantly compromised the determined antioxidant bio-pointers and histology while L-arginine particularly at 40 mg/kg ameliorated same in the rats’ brain via  apparent oxidant and antioxidant mechanism respectively

Effects of Separation on the Phytochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts and a Fraction of the African Mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) Leaves

The leaves of the African Mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Kola acuminata in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria were studied. The crude petroleum ether (CPE) extract, ethanol extract of the CPE residue (EER) and ethylacetate residue fraction of CPE (C) were separated into bands using thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique. The CPE, EER and C chromatographic bands of the Loranthus micranthus Linn leaves were subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation. Results of the phytochemical screening showed that the bands of CPE and EER afforded tannins, steroids and terpenes while that of C had tannins and terpenes only. Results of the antimicrobial activity revealed that CPE band 1 had an activity against Staphylococcus aureus while EER bands 1 and 2 were active against Bacillus subtilis. Band 1 of C alone was active against Bacillus subtilis, however, all the bands of C when combined had increased activity against other susceptible organisms suggesting synergism among the bands. The highest inhibition was noted in EER band 1 (20.30) while the least inhibition was observed in C band 2. Some of the band fractions showed lower activity while some showed similar level of activity when compared with the extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bands and that of the gentamycin ranged from 0.005 ?g/ml – 0.2791 ?g/ml. Keywords: Chromatographic band fractions, thin layer chromatography, antimicrobial activity, phytochemicals and separation.

Renal function outcome in isoprenaline induced myocardial Infarction in albino rats and protective effect of methanol leaves extract of Jatropha tanjorensis

Chronic kidney disease is prevalent among patients with myocardial infarction. There is positive correlation between renal dysfunction and myocardial infarction which could result to increase mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients. This present study evaluated the renoprotective effect of methanol leaves extract of Jatropha tanjorensis in isoprenaline induced myocardial infarction in albino rats.  Seventy two male albino rats were used for the in vivo study and randomly divided into six groups of twelve rats per group. Group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 was the negative control (administered 85 mg/kg of isoprenaline only), group 3 served as the positive  control (pretreated with 2 mg/kg carvedilol for 28 days, group 4 through 6 were pretreated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of the extract  respectively for 28 days. Myocardial infarction was induced in the rats using subcutaneous injection of 85 mg/kg isoprenaline (ISO) for two consecutive days (26th and 27th) at 24 hours interval. The result of the in vivo study showed that isoprenaline significantly (p<0.05) produced alteration in the renal function integrity because there was significant (p<0.05) increase in urea, creatinine and altered kidney morphology of the negative control group compared to the 400 mg/kg extract treated groups. The extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased the urea and creatinine level and maintained the kidney morphology. This study suggested that the extract at moderate dose could serve as an agent for the prevention of isoprenaline induced renotoxicity followed myocardial infarction

Amelioration of high levels of serum kidney function biomarkers by Vernonia amygdalina in monosodium glutamate induced rats

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), as a food seasoning agent, even at low doses, has been found to exert exceeding toxic effect on the body system when used for a prolonged time. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of varying doses of Vernonia amygdalina stem extract on MSG-induced alteration of some kidney function parameters in rats. Twenty (20) adult male Albino rats (weighing 90-180 g), divided into five groups of four rats each, were used for the study. Some kidney function parameters and histological examination of kidney tissues were determined according to standard methods. The mineral and vitamin contents of V. amygdalina stem were also determined. In rats administered with MSG (8 mg/kg), there were significant (P <0.05) increases in the serum urea and creatinine but decreased albumin concentrations compared to rats administered with normal saline. MSG co-administration with extract (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Minerals such as zinc, sodium and iron and vitamins A, C and E were found to be present in the stem extract. Histological examination of the kidney tissues of MSG-administered groups showed signs of toxicity but were much lesser in MSG co-treatment with the extract. These findings suggest that V. amygdalina ameliorated MSG-induced toxicity on the kidney functionality and this could be attributed to the presence of the antioxidant vitamins and some minerals as well as other bio-compounds present in the plant’s stem extract

The prevalence of some psychoactive substances use among secondary school adolescents in Bosso Local Government Area, Nigeria

The prevalence of some psychoactive substances use was investigated among secondary school adolescents in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria by descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data from self-administered Psychoactive Substance Abuse Questionnaire (PSAQ) were analysed, using appropriate statistics. Amongst one thousand seven hundred and nineteen (1719) valid (of the one thousand eight hundred and twenty, 1820) respondents responses, their use for coffee (1028 or 59.8%) and kola nuts (957 or 55.7%) were highly accepted while that for petrol (568 or 33.0%) was moderately accepted. Their substance use response for cigarette (462 or 26.9%) followed by marijuana (449 or 26.1%), codeine/cough syrup (402 or 23.4%), alcohol (395 or 23.0%), caffeine (251 or 14.6%), paints (227 or 13.2%), sleeping pills (217 or 12.6%), cannabis (196 or 11.4), amphetamine (190 or 11.1%) and gasoline (188 or 10.9%) was lowly accepted. Their least self-reported substance use for opium (1 or 0.1%) followed by valium (29 or 1.7%), Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, or solution (59 or 3.4%), glue (71 or 4.1%) and cocaine (89 or 5.2%) were not accepted. The result established the prevalent use of these common substances, with coffee, kola nuts and petrol seemingly serving as the gateway substances, among the studied adolescents. This study may have significant public health implications, warranting biochemical indicators assessment of the substances-induced toxicity in these adolescents to provide further basis for prevention and policy formulation programs. Regular counseling and enlightenment of the adolescents on the consequences of substance use are required, hence recommended

The prevalence and demographic pattern of obesity and its correlates in undergraduates of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike south-east, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study investigated the prevalence and demographic pattern of obesity and its correlates in undergraduates of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, south-east Nigeria, using standard methods in a total of 200 {99 (49.5%) males and 101 (50.5%) females} randomly selected subjects. With obesity cut-off of >27 kg/m 2 , 22% of the total subjects were obese, representing 9.5% and 12.5% of the male and female, respectively relative to total subject, but 9.19 % and 24.75 % in the males and females relative to total by sex. The highest prevalence was in the 21-23 age group (total = 50.00 %; male = 52.63 % and female = 48.00 %). Based on the body mass index (BMI) cut-off, higher males (94.74%) than females (88.0%) were overweight whereas based on the total body fat (TBF) class, higher females (17, 68.0%) than males (10, 52.63%) were obese. Based on waist to hip ratio (WHPR) all females (but no male) were in the lower risk class. However, high proportion of either sex was in the desired/normal class based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Total = 59.09%, female =56.00%; male =.63.16%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (Total = 68.18%; female = 68.0%; male = 68.42%) and blood glucose level (BGL) Total =65.90%; female = 76.00%; male = 52.63%). Thus, the obesity prevalence was higher in the females and highest in the 21-23 age group indicating apparent risk of developing obesity-related diseases particularly in the females and 21-23 age group of the studied population. Citation: Egbuonu ACC, Egbuonu ONC, Akabogu N, Udensi ZI, Ugwo UO and Ejidike AG (2015). The prevalence and demographic pattern of obesity and its correlates in undergraduates of Michael Okpara University of Agricultur

Antioxidant responses of L-arginine on aspartame-induced oxidative stress in rats' liver

Background: L-arginine a major precursor of a conditional antioxidant nitric oxide could be co-consumed with a widely used oxidant-prone artificial sweetener, aspartame with unknown outcomes on the antioxidant status in animals liver. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the possible liver antioxidant and histomorphologic responses of L-arginine on oxidative stress induced by aspartame assault. Methods: Thus, aspartame, at a dose of 1000 mg Kg–1 of body weight was administered to male Wistar rats by oral intubation daily for 21 days. Results: Aspartame treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP (0.78±0.98μg m-1), total protein, TP (2.42±0.19g mL-1), thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, TBARS (0.65 ± 0.07 mg mL-1), catalase, CAT (6.61 ± 1.81 IU/L) and hepatic histo-congestion, but decreased superoxide dismutase, SOD (0.09±0.01 IU/L). Aside ferric reducing antioxidant power and catalase that were not reduced, L-arginine 20 mg Kg–-1 administered alone, and aspartame respectively administered  with vitamin C 100 mg Kg–-1, L-arginine 20 mg Kg–-1 and 40 mg Kg–-1 , significantly (P < 0.05) decreased total protein, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and hepatic histo-congestion, but increased superoxide dismutase. Results revealed that these effects induced by aspartame at a dose of 1000 mg Kg–1 were significantly (P < 0.05) mitigated by L-arginine in a comparable pattern as standard antioxidant, vitamin C. Conclusion: Thus, L-arginine mitigated aspartame-induced oxidative stress and histo-congestion in rats' liver via probable up-regulated mechanisms in rats' antioxidant responses

Amelioration of high levels of serum kidney function biomarkers by Vernonia amygdalina in monosodium glutamate induced rats

197-205Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), as a food seasoning agent, even at low doses, has been found to exert exceeding toxic effect on the body system when used for a prolonged time. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of varying doses of Vernonia amygdalina stem extract on MSG-induced alteration of some kidney function parameters in rats. Twenty (20) adult male Albino rats (weighing 90-180 g), divided into five groups of four rats each, were used for the study. Some kidney function parameters and histological examination of kidney tissues were determined according to standard methods. The mineral and vitamin contents of V. amygdalina stem were also determined. In rats administered with MSG (8 mg/kg), there were significant (P <0.05) increases in the serum urea and creatinine but decreased albumin concentrations compared to rats administered with normal saline. MSG co-administration with extract (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Minerals such as zinc, sodium and iron and vitamins A, C and E were found to be present in the stem extract. Histological examination of the kidney tissues of MSG-administered groups showed signs of toxicity but were much lesser in MSG co-treatment with the extract. These findings suggest that V. amygdalina ameliorated MSG-induced toxicity on the kidney functionality and this could be attributed to the presence of the antioxidant vitamins and some minerals as well as other bio-compounds present in the plant’s stem extract

Monosodium Glutamate Plus Artemether-lumefantrine Overdose Altered Malondialdehyde, Total Protein and Albumin Concentration in Rats

This study aimed at assessing alterations in malondialdehyde, MDA, total protein and albumin concentration in the serum and liver homogenate of monosodium glutamate (MSG)-challenged rats co-treated with artemether-lumefantrine, AL. Methods involving colourimetric estimation were employed in thirty rats randomly grouped into six (n = 5) and for seven consecutive days, fed feed and water (Group A), AL therapeutic dose (Group B), AL overdose (therapeutic dose × 5) (Group C), MSG (8000 mg/kg body weight) (Group D), AL therapeutic dose plus MSG (Group E) or AL overdose plus MSG (Group F). Total protein concentration (2.64±0.09 g/dL, 2.81±0.14g/dL, respectively) in the liver homogenate of rats exposed to MSG (group D) or MSG plus AL overdose (group F) and malondialdehyde concentration in the liver homogenate of MSG plus AL overdose-fed rats (0.45±0.04 mg/ml) lowered (P&lt;0.05) as against other groups. However, serum albumin concentration in MSG (2.59±0.13 g/dl) or AL overdose plus MSG (3.24±0.12 g/dl) fed rats was higher (P&lt;0.05) compared to the control (2.02±0.04 g/dl). The Total protein: Albumin ratio lowered while the Albumin: total protein ratio increased in rats in MSG, AL overdose plus MSG or AL overdose groups compared with the control. Thus, the apparent MSG plus AL overdose-induced adverse influence on the studied parameters and samples of non-malarial infested rats could be via compromised liver-mediated protein metabolism capacity and bio-functions following possibly enhanced protein-malondialdehyde adduct formation in the rats