Metabolic Syndrome in a Rural Nigerian Community: Is Central Obesity always the key Determinant?

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is primarily the consequence of excess central adiposity but can also result from low grade systemic inflammation inducing insulin resistance. There is a global increase in the prevalence of MS; it is on this background that evaluation of the prevalence of MS in a poor rural farming community with a low expected low prevalence of obesity is relevant. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using the National Cholesterol Education Project: Adult Treatment Panel III definition (MS-ATP) in a rural Nigerian community.Methods: 300 adult consenting participants were bled after an overnight fast, and venous blood obtained for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Measurements were made to determine height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. The prevalence of each diagnostic component was determined and the relative risk (RR) of each component for MS-ATP was calculated.Results: The prevalence of MS-ATP was 6.30%, central obesity 5.33% (RR=3.3[95% CI:1.08-10.26]), and hypertriglyceridaemia 11.33% (RR=21.91[95% CI:8.42- 57.32]). The prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol was highest (85.67%) but the RR was not calculable.Conclusion: Unlike previous reports the prevalence of central obesity was very low in this study and contributed little to the development of MS-ATP. Hypertriglyceridaemia appears to be associated with the greatest risk of developing metabolic syndrome in this community while Low HDLcholesterol although most prevalent is a poor diagnostic requirement for metabolic syndrome.Key Words: Metabolic syndrome; rural community; Nigeri

Effects of Oral Administration of Aloe Vera Plus on the Heart and Kidney: A Subacute Toxicity Study in Rat Models

Background: Aloe vera gel is one of several nutritional supplements gaining widespread popularity in Nigeria and many other countries of the world. Adverse effects of ingestion of low doses of Aloe vera are seldom reported. It has however, been associated with diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, kidney dysfunction, and hepatitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of GLND'S Aloe vera Plus on the kidneys and hearts of rats.Methods: 80 apparently healthy, adult Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups, three of which were given three different doses of Aloe vera plus twice a day for 14, 28 and 42 days. The 4th group served as controls while the 5th was given Aloe vera plus for 28 days, following which the drug was withdrawn for another 28 days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and the hearts and kidneys harvested for  histopathological analysis.Results: The results indicate that Aloe vera plus caused nephrotoxic changes, including chronic inflammatory cell infiltration, hyalinization, thickening of renal capillaries, tubular collapse and necrosis, and glomerular and interstitial fibrosis. It also caused cardiotoxic effects but not in a significant number of rats.Conclusion: The nephrotoxic effects of aloe vera occurred more in the dose range recommended by the manufacturers and least with the highest dose and longest duration of treatment. We recommend that this nutritional supplement be subjected to the same regulatory standards as pharmacotherapeutic agents.Keywords: GNLD, Aloe vera Plus, Kidney, heart, rats

Gastroprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of Enantia chlorantha in rats

The bark of Enantia chloranthahas several medicinal properties and has been used by traditional medical practitioners in Nigeria for the treatment of skin, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and as an antimalarial. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the gastroprotective effects of E. chloranthaagainst known ulcerogenic agents in rats. Gastric ulcers were first induced by administering 1ml of absolute ethanol and 30mg/kg of indomethacin, separately, intragastrically, via an inflexible oral cannula to two groups of rats. Two other groups of rats were then pretreated with 300mg/kg of the ethanolic extract of E. chlorantha, administered by the same route, 30 minutes before the ulcerogenic agents and the ulcer indices compared. The extract protected against the ulcerogenic effects of absolute ethanol and indomethacininduced ulcers following its pretreatment of rats 30 minutes before the administration of these agents. The inhibition of indomethacin-induced ulcers is however not as effective as that of ethanol-induced ulcers (mean ulcer indices 30.21 ± 4.34 and 2.2 ± 2.65, respectively). We postulate that the extract may be acting mainly as a cytoprotective agent but perhaps also by inhibiting gastric acid secretion.Keywords: Enantia chlorantha, prophylaxis, ethanol, indomethacin, gastric ulcers Rsum L\'corse de Enantia chloranthaa plusieur proprite mdicinales et a t utilis par les tradi-praticients du Nigeria pour le traitement de l\'ulcer de la peau, gastrique et duodenal, et aussi commme un anti-malarial. Le but de cette tud est de montrer l\'effet protecttif de Enantia chloranthacontre les agent ulcerogeniques chez les souris. Les ulcer gastriques on t premirement t induite en administrant sparement et intragastrique 1ml d\'thanol absolute et 30mg/kg d\'indomethacine chez deux groups de souris en utilisant des cannules oral non flexible. Deux autre groupes ont t pr-traite avec 300mg/k d\'extrait ethanolique Enantia chloranthaadministr par la mme route.Ce 30minute avant l\'administration d\'agent ulcerognique. Ensuite leur indice d\'ulcer compar. Les extraits ont proteg contre l\'effet ulcerognique induite par l\'ethanol absolut et l\'indomethacine resultant du pr-traitement des souris 30minute avant l\'administration de ces agents . l\'inhibition de l\'ulcer induite par l\'indomethacine n\'est pas aussi effective que c\'elle induite par l\'ethanol absolute (l\'indice moyen d\'ulcer:30.24 ±4.34 et 2.2 ±2.65 respectivement) nous postulons que l\'extrait agirait principalement comme un agent cytoprotecteur mais peut tre aussi par inhibition de la scretion d\'acid gastrique.Mots cls: D\' Enanatia chlorantha, prophylaxie, ethanol, indomethacine, ulcer gastriqueWest African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 20(1&2) 2005: 35-3

Possible mechanisms for the anti-ulcer effects of the ethanolic extract of Enantia chlorantha in rats

An alkaloid derived from Enantia chloranthahas been reported to have antiulcer properties and our unpublished data demonstrate the antiulcer properties of the crude ethanolic extract of E. chlorantha. This study is aimed at identifying a possible mechanism(s) for the antiulcer action of the crude ethanolic extract of E. chlorantha. Indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers were treated prophylactically by administering 300mg/kg of the crude ethanolic extract of E. chlorantha, intragastrically through an inflexible oral cannula. The response obtained was then compared with the effect of 200mg/kg of misoprostol- and 50mg/kg of ranitidine-pretreatment, both administered in the same manner but separately to the experimental animals. The effect of the extract in organ bath concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 6.4mg/ml was also tested on several segments of isolated rabbit ileum tissue. It was found that the extract completely protected against the ulcerogenic effects of absolute ethanol and was more efficacious in this regard, than misoprostol, which conferred 69.95% protection. It however, had about the same protective ability as misoprostol against indomethacin-induced ulcers (Ulcer indices of 30.21% and 31.75%, respectively). In addition, it inhibited the spontaneous contractions of isolated rabbit ileum smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner. The extract appears to act in a manner very similar to misoprostol (inhibition of acid secretion and enhanced cytoprotection by stimulation of mucus secretion), in addition to inhibiting the spontaneous contractions of rabbit ileal smooth muscle by an as yet unclear mechanism.Keywords: Enantia chlorantha, antiulcer, mechanism, acid secretion, cytoprotection RésuméUn dérivé alkaloid d\' Enantia chloranthaa été reporté avoir des propriété anti-ulcéreux. Et nos données non encore publiées montre cette propriété anti-ulcéreux d\'extrait brute d\' Enantia chloranthacette étude a pour but d\' indendentifier les possible mecanismes d\'action anti-ulcéreux de l\'extrait ethanolique brute d\' Enantia chlorantha. L\'ulcer induite par l\'indomethacine et l\'ethanol ont été traitées prophylactiquement en administrant 300mg/kg d\'extrait ethanolique brute d\' Enantia chlorantha intragstriquement en utilisant des cannules oral non flexible. Les réponses obtenues ont été en suite comparées avec l\'effet du pré-traitement de 200mg/kg de Misoprostol et 50mg/kg de Ranitidine. Tous administrés de la même manière mais séparément aux animaux experimenté l\'effet de L\'extrait sur des bains d\'organe à concentration allant de 0.1 a 6.4mg/ml ont été aussi testé sur different segment de tissue d\'ilieum isolés de lapin. Il en est resulté que l\'extrait protégait completement contre les effet ulcerogénique d\'ethanol absolute et était plus efficace à ce regards que le misoprostol, qui conferait une protection de 69.95%. Ce pendent il eu la même abilité protective que le Misoprostol contre l\'ulcer induite par l\'indomethacine.(l\'indice d\'ulcer de 30.21% et 31.75% respectivement) en plus il inhibait la contraction spontanée des muscles blanc d\'ilieum isolée de lapin et ce à dose dépendent. L\'extrait apparait agir de manière similaire au misoprostol (inhibition de la sécretion d\'acide et augmentation de la cytoprotection par stimulation de la secretion du mucus), en plus l\'inhibait de la contraction spontanée des muscles blanc d\'ilieum isolées de lapin mais par un mécanisme non élucidée.Mots clés: d\' Enanatia chlorantha, anti-ulcereux, mecanisme, secretion d\'acid, cytoprotection West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 20(1&2) 2005: 39-4

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review of pharmacological treatment

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(3) July-September 2006: 207-21

The Effect of Aloe vera Plus on the Liver: A Pharmacovigilance Study in Rats

The transparent gel of Aloe vera has been used as a nutritional supplement and herbal remedy for centuries. It is claimed to have several therapeutic properties but there is little scientific evidence of its effectiveness and safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of GNLD’s Aloe vera plus on the liver of rats. Eighty apparently healthy, adult Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups, three of which given three different doses of Aloe vera plus twice a day for 14, 28 and 42 days. One of the groups served as control and another was given Aloe vera plus for 28 days, following which the drug was withdrawn for another 28 days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Blood samples and the livers were collected for liver enzyme estimation and histopathological analysis. We found a significant elevation of all the liver enzymes after 14 and 28 days of administration of Aloe vera plus and upon withdrawal of the drug for 28 days, the enzyme levels returned to normal values. The histopathological analysis revealed a number of toxic effects, including portal triditis, myxoid degeneration, intracytoplasmic vacuolization , intraparenchymal haemorrhage and hepatic necrosis. Aloe vera plus caused a time- but not dose-dependent hepatotoxicity which recommends the need for more stringent regulation by food and drug regulatory authorities to ascertain its effectiveness and safety.Keywords: GNLD, Aloe vera plus, pharmacovigilance, Liver enzymes, Histopathology, Rat

The Prevalence of Obesity as Indicated by BMI and Waist Circumference among Nigerian Adults Attending Family Medicine Clinics as Outpatients in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study\'s aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. Methods: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study, reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6.04d). Results: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI = 30 kgm-2. Obesity as determined by BMI = 30 kgm-2 is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged. Keywords: Waist circumference, BMI, Obesity, Prevalence, Nigerians Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (3) 2008: pp. 340-34

Effects of subacute administration of protein powder on the histology of rat kidneys

Abstract not supplie

Insecticidal efficacy of Lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, orange peel oil and platostoma sp. leaf extract on anopheles mosquitoes

The mortality effects of lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, orange peel oil and Platostoma sp. leaves extracts on adult Anopheles mosquitoes were compared in the laboratory at room temperature of 30&#177; 2oC. Thirty adult Anopheles mosquitoes of age 2-4 days were exposed to the four formulations at concentrations ranging from 10-100%. The formulations and controls were replicated thrice. Time taken for the death of the mosquitoes at various serial dilutions was used to determine the insecticidal efficacy of the formulations on adult Anopheles mosquitoes. Lambdacyhalothrin at most concentrations had greater mortality effect than orange peel oil extract, followed by cyfluthrin and Platostoma sp. extract. The insecticidal time of orange peel oil extract at 50-60% concentration was shortest and therefore most efficacious compared to other formulations at same concentration. However, all concentrations of the formulations used in the experiment had time&#8211;dependent mortality activity. Further biomedical studies are recommended to enhance the processing and packaging the test materials. Keywords: Mosquito, insecticide, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, orange peel oil, Platostoma sp. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 317-320, 201