Developmental changes in frontocortical morphology and neurochemistry of neonatal rats following gestational nicotine exposure

Exposure of the embryo or foetus to nicotine during development results in some forms of neurological deficits later in life. The current study aimed at determining the effects of prenatal nicotine administration during the 1st and 2nd gestational weeks on the frontal cortex of neonatal Wistar rats. For each week of gestation, pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups: a control group (1), and two treated groups (2 and 3), and were given intra-peritoneal nicotine at 6.88 mg/ kg and 13.76 mg/kg doses respectively. The weights of the litters were taken at birth and at postnatal day 4; the whole brain and frontal cortical weights were also assessed. Tissues for histological demonstration were fixed in freshly prepared formol calcium, while specimen for biochemical studies were homogenised and processed for the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities. Findings in the treated animals showed low birth weights, raised ALP but reduced MDA, with corresponding alterations in the cortical cytoarchitecture, which could explain some of the pathological basis for the neurobehavioural problems associated with offspring of women smokers.Keywords: Prenatal nicotine, Frontal cortex, Morphology, Histology, ALP, MD

Gestational and neurodevelopmental effects of black mustard seeds’ (Brassica nigra) extract in wistar rats

This study investigated the effect of the crude aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (Black Mustard Seeds) in gestation and on the prefrontal cortex of newborn Wistar rats at different doses following prenatal administration. Eighteen (18) adult female rats weighing an average of 180±10g were used. The female rats were split into 3 groups of six animals; Group A received distilled water throughout gestation, Group B received 200 mg/kg body weight of extract throughout gestation, and Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of extract throughout gestation). Rat pups from the experimental groups were sacrificed on postnatal days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 and subsequently prepared through routine histological and histochemical procedures. Brassica nigra was abortifacient at 200 mg/kg body weight and reduced litter size at 100 mg/kg body weight. No observed physical deformities in pups of treated groups. Comparative prefrontal microarchitecture revealed little to no alteration in the treated group. This study concludes that Brassica nigra (black mustard) is not totally innocuous and as such, should be moderately consumed or totally avoided in pregnancy.Keywords: Brassica nigra; Mustard seeds; Gestation; Neurodevelopment

Gestational and neurodevelopmental effects of black mustard seeds' (Brassica nigra) extract in wistar rats

This study investigated the effect of the crude aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (Black Mustard Seeds) in gestation and on the prefrontal cortex of newborn Wistar rats at different doses following prenatal administration. Eighteen (18) adult female rats weighing an average of 180±10g were used. The female rats were split into 3 groups of six animals; Group A received distilled water throughout gestation, Group B received 200 mg/kg body weight of extract throughout gestation, and Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of extract throughout gestation). Rat pups from the experimental groups were sacrificed on postnatal days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 and subsequently prepared through routine histological and histochemical procedures. Brassica nigra was abortifacient at 200 mg/kg body weight and reduced litter size at 100 mg/kg body weight. No observed physical deformities in pups of treated groups. Comparative prefrontal microarchitecture revealed little to no alteration in the treated group. This study concludes that Brassica nigra (black mustard) is not totally innocuous and as such, should be moderately consumed or totally avoided in pregnancy.Keywords: Brassica nigra; Mustard seeds; Gestation; Neurodevelopment

Placental Anthropometric Features: Maternal and Neonate Characteristics in North Central Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to determine placental weight as well as factors associated with low placental weight and to determine its impact on some anthropometrical parameters in the newborn. A total of 300 freshly delivered placentas were examined in this longitudinal-prospective study. Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin, and Surulere Medical Centre, Eruda, Ilorin, were used for sample collections. Informed consent was obtained from patients and institutional ethical clearance was obtained from Kwara State Ministry of Health (MOH/KS/ECI/777/82). Semistructured questionnaire was used to gather data on the patients and newborns demographic indices. Analysis of variance, Student’s t-test, regression analysis, and Pearson moment correlation statistical analysis were employed to analyze the data. The mean wet placental weight for normal pregnancies was 529 g (SD = 84.01). Placental weight to birth weight ratio of 1 : 5.83 was generated, 529 g impact on newborn head circumference (mean: male = 35.30 cm, female = 34.90 cm) having a linear correlation. Regression analysis showed negative association between female babies (2.99 kg) placental weight (r=0.369; P≤0.05), birth weight, and cord length (mean = 58.4 cm). Placental weight correlation with male newborn weight (3.14 kg) had placental birth weight ratio of 0.679 between 90th and 10th percentile P<0.05 with head circumference (r=0.473, P<0.05), lower limit placental diameter 22.80 ± 1.76 cm (SD = 4.8), BMI ≤ 19.50, and Apgar score of 7/10. It is concluded that blood holding capacity of the placenta (relative to weight) and the maternal-dietary have influence on placental weight. Differences in hormonal environment in utero and pathologic adaptation of placenta, due to racial factors, significantly contributed to the size of newborn baby

Liver enzymes derangement and the influence of diet in animals given oral albendazole

Background: Albendazole is used as an anthelmintic in the treatment of some parasitic infections. This study determined how the effects of albendazole on liver enzymes are influenced by diet. Materials and Method: Thirty adult male Wistar rats of mean weight 304.12 ± 11.34 g were randomly grouped into five: Group A: Control, was given rat pellets and water only; Group B received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole while fasting; Group C received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with fatty meal; Group D received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); and, Group E received 30 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); they were given orally for 3 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed thereafter and blood samples obtained for quantitative study of the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: Significant elevation in the serum levels of the transaminases especially in animals which were on their normal diet (rat pellets), while ALP was either reduced or increased based on dietary factors. Conclusions: Oral administration of albendazole before meal or with a fatty diet could help limit severe elevation of liver enzymes associated with its use, while still ensuring optimal efficacy