Management of experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats using a food-based therapy containing Telfairia occidentalis seeds

The usefulness of diet containing Telfairia occidentalis seeds, in managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats was studied. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups. BPH was induced by sub-cutaneous injection of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol valerate (ratio, 10:1) every other day for 28 days. Rats in the test group were placed on the test diet for 7 days following disease induction. One control group (DC) was fed on a normal diet for 7 days following disease induction. Two other control groups, HC and HDC, were given sub-cutaneous olive oil (vehicle) for the same duration, and placed on the test diet and normal diet, respectively. Markers of BPH, and hormone profile were determined using standard methods. The results show that relative prostate weight and protein content of the prostates were lower [albeit not significantly (p>0.05)] in the test group, relative to the DC group. Serum prostatic acid phosphatase concentrations (U/L) decreased significantly (

Prostate disorders in an apparently normal Nigerian population 1: Prevalence

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) constitutes a lot of health burden for adult males. Prevalence statistics are well documented in the developed world, but not so well documented in Africa, especially in Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out to provide information on the prevalence of BPH in this locality. Adult males (aged forty years or older) who reside in Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria, who had no apparentsymptoms of ill health, were used for the study. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) index was used to establish the presence of BPH, respondents’ choice of most troublesome symptom and respondents’ perception of their quality of life. The results show that 25.35% of the studied population had symptoms suggestive of BPH. The severity of symptoms was seen to increase with age. Therespondents regarded Nocturia as the most troublesome symptom of BPH, while storage symptoms were seen to be more troublesome than voiding symptoms. Also 18.91% of the studied population had poorquality of life, while 81.08% were satisfied with their quality of life. The prevalence of BPH in the studied population shows that one in four apparently normal men have BPH. This is comparable to figures from the developed world. Sadly the awareness of the problem in Nigeria is not comparable to that in the developed world. This calls for a concerted effort to reverse this trend. This would check the devastating effect of BPH on the quality of life of men and thereby enhance productivity

Antibiotics Administration and its Possible Liver Damage

The effect of antibiotics on two liver enzymes – serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) also known as glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – was studied in a population of adults in Nsukka, Enugu state Nigeria. Standard clinical methods were used for the assays. The results show statistically significant increase (p0.05) between the means of both ALT and ALP for the different sexes. There were however, statistically significant differences (

Usefulness of the American urological association's benign prostate hyperplasia symptom index in Nigeria: Validation using biochemical markers

Benign prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related neoplastic condition of the prostate gland that is characterised by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), in the clinical setting. A variety of factors, especially weather conditions and diet, impart on the nature of the manifestations of LUTS experienced by sufferers, suggesting a possible difference in the clinical presentation of BPH across cultures. One of the tools used in the screening and diagnosis of BPH is the American Urological Association’s (AUA’s) symptom index. However, the validity of this instrument in Nigeria has not been tested. This work used two biochemical markers of prostate pathologies – prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) – to test the validity of the AUA symptom index in Nigeria. Our results show a positive correlation between PAP and the AUA symptom index (r = +0.275,

Purification and Characterization of a Novel p,p\u2019-DDT Dehalogenase from Aeromonas sp. strain MY1

Although dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) occupies a prominent position for its recalcitrance in the environment which led to its ban by the Stockholm Convention. This pesticide is still unregulated used in low and middle-income countries, which contributes to the global burden of this hazardous contaminant. In the recent time, biological approach has been proven to be effective and environmentally safer for the decontamination of the residual DDT. In this research, we reported a gel-purified p,p\u2019-DDT dehalogenase from Aeromonas sp. strain MY1, revealing a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 37 kDa. The dehalogenase was unique for its capability to release chloride ions from p,p\u2019-DDT substrate with optimum dechlorination activity at pH 8.0 and 35\ub0C. The enzyme followed Michaelis-Menten\u2019s kinetics and measurement of its initial velocities with various p,p\u2019-DDT concentrations showed a Km of 27.05 \u3bcmol L-1 and Vmax of 476.19 \u3bcmol L-1 min-1. However, the enzyme lost its dechlorination activity in the presence of Ag2+ and Hg2+ This dehalogenase could pave a way for the effective decontamination of p,p\u2019-DDT contaminated environment, suggesting its potentials for p,p\u2019-DDT bio-cleansing applications

Effect of intervention with dietary supplements on the urination problems of prostate patients in Nigerian population

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 65-7

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a semi-urban Nigerian hypertensive population

The prevalence of high blood pressure and other associatedcardiovascular risk factors in a semi-urban Nigerian community werestudied. A total of 425 subjects aged 35 years and above took part in the cross sectional survey held at Nsukka, Nigeria. A detailed questionnaire was administered to the subjects to ascertain their risk levels consequent upon life style and genetic disposition. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by standard methods. Fasting blood samples were drawn from the subjects for biochemical assays. Generally, hypertension prevalence [SBP > 140 mm Hg] was 74.77% in men and 68.59% in women. Men were more likely to be obese than the women. Stages II and III hypertension were more frequent in females while stage I hypertension was more frequent in males. The concurrence of hypertension, body mass index (BMI) and serum glucose were more likely in females while the simultaneous occurrence of BMI an

Effect of intervention with dietary supplements on the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of prostate patients in Nigerian population

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 73-8

Prostate disorders in an apparently normal Nigerian population 2: Relationship with some biochemical parameters

Globally, prostate disorders constitute a lot of health concern for men. Early identification of risk factors and groups at risk minimizes the adverse effects of these disorders. The possible relationship between prostate disorders and parameters like age, blood group, Rhesus factor,haemoglobin genotype, serum total cholesterol level and fasting blood glucose concentration, in Nsukka was studied. A total of 101 apparently normal subjects who were not on prescription drugs and who did not have sex or prostatic massage at least two days before sampling were recruited for assays. Standard procedures were used for all the assays. There was no significant mean difference in the Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) means of the different groups, perparameter, (p>0.05), except for age where a significant mean difference (

The Effect Of Some Respiratory Inhibitors On The Lipase Activity Of Germinating Peanuts (Arachis hypogea)

Peanut (Arachis hypogea) seeds were treated with varying concentrations of KCN, KNO3) and Urea (0.01 M and 0.05 M) prior to germination. Lipase activities of germinating seeds were affected by chemical treatment. The effect induced by the chemicals is explained on the basis of interfering effect with the function of the organelles. The lipase activity of all the seeds had maximum activity on the 6th day of germination. Key Words: Peanut, lipase, chemical treatment. Bio-Research Vol.2(2) 2004: 34-3