Effect of Combined Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) and Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) on the Pancreatic beta-Cells of Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

The study evaluated the effect of combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on the pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty-two (32) albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups. Groups A and B which served as normal (NC) and diabetic (DC) controls respectively, received placebo treatment. The diabetic test groups C and D were respectively treated with combined extracts of VA and GL (200mg/kg b. w., p. o.) and insulin, (humulin 5 IU/kg, s.c.) for 28 days. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and blood and pancreas were collected for serum glucose and histological evaluation, respectively. Changes in animal weight were also measured within the period. From the results it was revealed that both the combined extracts and humulin significantly increased the animals’ body weight (p<0.05) from -10.5% reduction in the DC, to 7.6% and 8.9% respectively. In the same order, serum glucose significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 12.49% and 14.96% after the 28-day treatment compared to DC. The extent of reversal of hyperglycemia in the extract treated animals compared well with the insulin treated group. The biochemical results were corroborated with results of histological evaluations: The pancreatic β-cells of DC animals which were distorted and degenerated with shrunken cell mass as against prominent islet cells with normal exocrine pancreas of NC animals became rapidly proliferated upon intervention with the combined extracts, suggesting a possible regeneration of the islet cells. On the otherhand, intervention with humulin did not produce observable differences in the cyto-architecture of the pancreatic islets compared to the diabetic control, confirming an extra-pancreatic mechanism of insulin

Immunohistochemical studies of codeine medication on the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum of adult Wistar rats

Despite the dangers associated with the increased use of prescription opioid drugs, limited researches have addressed the specific effects of prescription opioids on the brain. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of codeine medication on the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum of Wistar rats. The drugs, ArchilinTM with codeine syrup and Dihydrocodeine 30 mg tablets were used for this study. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups labeled A, B, C, D, and E, n = 6. Group A served as control and was given normal saline, group B was treated with 1 mg/kg bodyweight dihydrocodeine, group C was treated with 2 mg/kg bodyweight dihydrocodeine, group D was treated with 2 ml/kg bodyweight ArchilinTM with codeine syrup and group E was treated with 4 ml/kg bodyweight ArchilinTM with codeine syrup. Drugs were administered orally and daily for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed via intraperitoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride, brains were perfused with phosphate-buffered saline and formal saline before harvested and postfixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Sections of the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum were obtained and processed for immunohistochemical studies using GFAP stain. Results from the study suggested that prolonged administration of codeine medication produced an inflammatory reaction in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum of treatment groups. This neuroinflammatory reaction is an indicator of a pathologic process that could lead to neuronal degeneration, glial degeneration, and altered physiologic process in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum

Anthropometric study of the cranial parameters using Computed Tomography (CT) scan to establish cephalic index of a sampled population in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Ethnic characteristics of individuals are best described with the skull. Cranial index is one of the most important variables for determining sexual dimorphism and of course racial differences. Parameters used in establishing cephalic index vary considerably depending on the age, sex, geographical habitat, ethnic background of the individuals involved and the methods employed. Such has not been documented in Calabar, especially with the use of advanced imaging modality such as the Computed Tomography (CT) scans. This is the rationale of the study.Objective: To determine the cephalic index of Nigerians residing in Calabar using CT scan.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 cranial Brivo 385 16 slice CT scan images of Nigerians aged from 18 to 87 years were obtained from the Asi-Ukpo Diagnostic Medical Centre Calabar. A simple random probability sampling technique was employed. Variables measured were the Maximum Cranial Length (MCL), Maximum Cranial Width (MCW), Bizygomatic Length (BZL) and the Orbital Length (OBL). The cephalic index was obtained by measuring the ratio of the maximum head width (MCW) or the Biparietal Diameter (BPD) to maximum head length (MCL) or the antero-posterior diameter then multiplied by 100.Results: Cranial length was 182.9 ± 0.657mm in males and 178.53 ± 0.09mm in females. Cranial width was 138.59 ± 0.56mm in males and 137.21 ± 0.65mm in females. The orbital length was 34.35 ± 0.31mm in males and 33.37 ± 0.29mm in females while bizygomatic length was 130 ± 0.31mm in males and 127.54 ± 0.84mm in females. Cranial index was 76.09mm in males and 75.81mm in females. No significant difference between males and females of the study population as the subject appears to be largely mesocephalic (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Cranial index of the study sampled population is majorly mesocephalic. Therefore, CT scan is very important a tool in the assessment of cranial parameters in anthropometry.Keywords: Anthropometry, Calabar, Cranial index, Computed Tomography, Mesocephali