Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.Key Words: Ocimum gratissimum; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoglycaemia, Liver enzyme

Distribution of abo, rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among the undergraduate students of Niger delta university Nigeria

Summary: The distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among 200 undergraduate students of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria randomly selected were studied. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from the antecubital vein. The blood sample were transferred into EDTA bottle and mixed. The determination of the ABO, Rhesus (RhD) blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis was done. The results showed that blood group O had the highest percentage distribution of 49% followed by blood groups A and B with 22% respectively and the least percentage distribution was blood group AB which is 7%. Rh-D positive rate was 98% and that of Rh-D negative was found to be 2%. The percentage distribution for thehaemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 66%, 26%, 2%, 2%, and 4% respectively. HbAA and HbAS occurred more frequently than other haemoglobin variants in this study

Glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pd) activity and deficiency in a population of Nigerian males resident in jos

The activity of red blood cell Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in one hundred and twenty six healthy male individuals who are Nigerians residing in Jos was evaluated. The enzyme activity was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometer assay method. The activity of red cell G6PD enzyme was subnormal in 20% of the population studied. This agrees with previous report of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Nigerian males from the Western region of the country which is between 20 and 26%. The proportion of Nigerian males with subnormal G6PD activity is relatively constant irrespective of their geographical location

Determinants of severity of hyperbilirubinaemiaamong glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficient neonates in Jos north central Nigeria

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited disorder capable of causing severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, kernicterus and death. Identifying such neonates and other factors that could aggravate their clinical states have definite place in managing them for favourable outcomes.Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty (150) icteric neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Units of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State Special Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital were recruited for this study. It was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted between March 2013 and February 2014. Parental consents were obtained and Clinical information was gathered using a questionnaire, weight were measured in grams while laboratory investigations that included FullBlood Count (FBC), Reticulocyte Count, Serum Bilirubin (SB) Assay and G6PD activity levels were carried out.Results: Mean age of the studied neonates at presentation was 3.28 ± 3.11 days while mean age of detection of jaundice was 2.86 ± 1.67. One hundred and five (70%) were delivered at full-term gestation (>37weeks) while 45 (30%) were delivered preterm (<37 weeks) with twenty-nine (19.3%) having history of jaundice in siblings. Fifty (35.7%) had birth weight of less than 2500g while the birth weight of 10 (6.7%) were unknown. Sixty-one of these neonates (40.7 %) were G6PD deficient with mean total serum bilirubin of 205.01 ±96.57µmol/L.Conclusion: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common enzyme disorder among neonates presenting with hyperbilirubinaemia which can be aggravated by other factors. Key words: Determinants, Hyperbilirubinaemia, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Neonate

Cultural practices and the use of icterogenic agents in glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficient neonates: Any effect?

Background: Cultural practices involving the use of certain agents known to cause haemolysis in Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals are common during perinatal and neonatal periods. This study was targeted at identifying some of these agents and their role in the development of hyperbilirubinaemia in G6PD deficient neonates in our environment with a view at raising public awareness for an acceptable neonatal outcome.Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital with neonatal jaundice were enrolled for this study. Information on age, sex, history of drugs, chemicals and herbs used during or after pregnancy were obtained using a questionnaire. Five millilitres of the blood sample was collected into anticoagulated and plain sample bottles for Full Blood Count (FBC), Reticulocyte Count, Serum Bilirubin (SB) and G6PD assay.Results: Mean age at presentation was 3.28 ± 3.11 days. Mean haemoglobin concentration of the neonates was 15.90 ± 2.23 g/dL while mean reticulocyte count, total leukocyte and platelet count were 2.42 ± 0.71%, 7.10 ± 2.76 (x 109/L) and 228.45 ± 85.57 respectively. Sixty-one (40.7 %) of the studied neonates were G6PD deficient with mean G6PD activity of 3.79 ± 1.37 IU/gHb. Mean total serum bilirubin was 205.01 ± 96.57μmol/L. Icterogenic agent use was identified in 70 (46.7%) of the study subjects with naphthalene balls used in 19 (12.7%) study subjects.Conclusion: Icterogenic agents are being used for neonatal care in our environment despite the consequences of hyperbilirubinaemia in those with G6PD deficiency. Keywords: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Hyperbilirubinaemia, Icterogenic agents, Neonate

The burden of Hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia in Jos – Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an important public health problem in Nigeria associated with frequent blood transfusion. Patients with this disease are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B and C virus through blood transfusions.Objective: The study aimed at determining the burden of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia and the role of blood transfusion in these infections acquisition in Jos.Materials and methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted on patients with SCA attending the Haematology Out-patient Clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital,between November 2014 and August 2015.Consenting patients with SCA had their blood screened for anti- HBV and HCV antibodies using fourth generation Elisa techniques after completing a questionnaire.Results: One hundred and eleven patients with SCA participated. Antibodies to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was detected in 21 (18.9%) while that to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was found in 16 (14.7%). Seventy six (68.5%) of the participants had history of blood transfusion while 35 (31.5%) were never transfused. 22.4% and 15.8% of those transfused were positive for HBV and HCV antibodies respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of those positive for anti HBV or HCV with respect to their transfusion status (p=0.24 and 0.81 respectively).Conclusion: The proportion of our patients with SCA that were anti HBV and anti-HCV positive was high. Blood transfusion did not significantly influence their positive status. Strategies aimed at controlling these viral infections in these patients and the general population should be enforced after public awareness campaigns and advocacy are instituted.Keywords: Sickle Cell Anaemia, burden, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis CVirus, infection, Blood Transfusio