Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The current study investigated the levels of some heavy metals [Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Mercury (Hg), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Aluminium (Al) and Chromium (Cr)] and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in six brands of instant noodles (CFN, GFC, NGP, GAA, CUN and FCS) commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Risks of consumption of contaminated noodles were also assessed. Heavy metals content and PAHs were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Gas Chromatography (GC), respectively. Concentration of heavy metals as Pb, Ni, Cu, Al and Cr were detected while As, Hg and Cd were not detected in noodles. High average concentration (mean ± SD mg/kg) of Pb were observed in brands CFN (3.163 ± 0.21) and GFC (1.022 ± 0.08) which were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than in NGP (0.043 ± 0.15) and GAA (0.276 ± 0.18), although all were above WHO permissible limits (0.025 mg/kg). Target Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index for Pb were >1 in brands CFN and GFC indicating unacceptable risk. Results of PAHs showed brands had total PAHs (mg/kg) in the order: CFN >CUN >GAA >NGP >FCS > GFC. Although Carcinogenic Risks associated with these noodles are within permissible range, consumption of CFN and GFC could pose greater health risk to consumers. Long term consumption of brands CUN, CFN and GAA may have higher probability of carcinogenesis among consumers. We therefore recommend more diligent regulatory policies and monitoring by relevant Government agencies (WHO, NAFDAC, CPC and SON) to ensure wholesome noodles get to consumers

Biochemical and histological changes in liver and kidney in male Wistar albino rats following exposure to Solignum®: a permethrincontaining wood preservative

The present investigation was aimed to determine the effect of sub-chronic exposure to Solignum^®, a permethrin-containing wood preservative on biochemical and histological changes in liver and kidneys of male Wistar albino rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into four groups: control and three treatment concentrations containing 8 rats each. The treatment groups were exposed to Solignum^® at dose rates of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) respectively per day orally for four weeks. Data obtained from the study showed a progressive increase in the body weight of rats in control whereas, rats treated with different concentrations (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW) of Solignum^® decreased significantly (≤0.05) especially at the end of the second and fourth week when compared with control. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in the relative liver weights of rats treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg BW Solignum^® while rats treated with 400 mg/kg BW showed a significant increase when compared with control. The relative weight of kidneys in experimental groups increased significantly when compared with control. Biochemical analysis results illustrated that there was a significant increase in marker enzymes namely alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity at the end of the fourth week. Similarly, total bilirubin, serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^-) levels increased in a dose dependent manner in treated rats when compared with untreated control group. Serum total protein decreased significantly in experimental rats when compared with control. However, cholesterol and triglycerides showed no significant difference when compared with control. Histopathological examination of hepatocytes in treated rats was characterized by mild periportal inflammatory cells and cytoplasmic degeneration. Furthermore, histopathological examination of rat kidneys revealed inflammatory cells, congested vessel and interstitial hemorrhage in rats treated with Solignum^®. Therefore, this present study is aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potentials associated with sub-chronic exposure to the commercial pesticide Solignum^®

Rutin ameliorates oxidative stress and preserves hepatic and renal functions following exposure to cadmium and ethanol

Context: Rutin (RUT) is an antioxidant flavonoid with well-known metal chelating potentials. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of RUT against cadmium (Cd) + ethanol (EtOH)-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats. Materials and methods: Wistar rats were treated with Cd (50 mg/kg) alone or in combination with EtOH (5 mg/kg) and RUT (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for 15 days. After treatment, the liver, kidney and serum were removed for biochemical assays by spectrophotometric methods. Results: Serum, hepatic and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were highest in the Cd + EtOH group and lowest in Cd + EtOH animals co-treated with the highest dose of RUT (2.98 ± 0.34, 10.08 ± 2.32, 4.99 ± 1.21 vs. 1.69 ± 0.33, 6.13 ± 0.28, 3.66 ± 1.12 μmol MDA/mg protein, respectively). The serum level of Cd was increased in the Cd + EtOH treated animals compared to Cd + EtOH animals co-treated with 100 mg/kg RUT (2.54 ± 0.08 vs. 1.28 ± 0.04 ppm). Furthermore, RUT at the highest dose protected against Cd + EtOH-induced elevation of bilirubin and uric acid levels as well as activities of lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transferase (62.86 ± 2.74 vs. 122.52 ± 6.35 µmol/L; 1.77 ± 0.35 vs. 3.23 ± 0.55 mmol/L; 9.56 ± 1.22 vs. 16.21 ± 1.64 U/L; 288.92 ± 40.12 vs. 159.8 ± 18.01 U/L). The histo-pathological changes in the liver and kidney were also reduced in the Cd + EtOH animals co-treated with RUT in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion and conclusion: RUT protected against the combined effects of Cd + EtOH on hepatic and renal functions and improved the antioxidant defence system in the blood

Influence of triazines and lipopolysaccharide coexposure on inflammatory response and histopathological changes in the testis and liver of BalB/c mice

Background: Triazines are environmental active chemicals that have been reported to alter the inflammatory status of the gonads. We tested the anti-inflammatory effect of the triazines (atrazine; ATZ, simazine; SMZ and cyanazine; CYZ) on the testis and compared it with the more classical liver model that has substantial populations of resident macrophages comparable to the testis. Methods: BalB/c mice were treated with 25 mg/kg ATZ, SMZ and CYZ for 30 days and injected with lipopolysaccharide (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) 6 h before sacrifice. Myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide level in the testis and liver homogenates were determined by spectrophotometry whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 concentrations were evaluated by immunoassay. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the tissues were observed using a light microscope. Results: Myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were decreased in the liver and testis of the triazines co-treated animals. SMZ has the most potent inhibitory effect and ATZ the least effect on inflammatory mediators in both tissues. Microscopic evaluation showed loss of inflammatory cells in the inter-tubular areas of the testis and few patchy masses of infiltrating inflammatory cells around the central vein of the liver. Conclusion: Triazines inhibit the levels of inflammatory mediators in the testis and liver of mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of triazines in a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model was established in this study

Subjective status and perceived legitimacy across countries

The relationships between subjective status and perceived legitimacy are important for understanding the extent to which people with low status are complicit in their oppression. We use novel data from 66 samples and 30 countries (N = 12,788) and find that people with higher status see the social system as more legitimate than those with lower status, but there is variation across people and countries. The association between subjective status and perceived legitimacy was never negative at any levels of eight moderator variables, although the positive association was sometimes reduced. Although not always consistent with hypotheses, group identification, self-esteem, and beliefs in social mobility were all associated with perceived legitimacy among people who have low subjective status. These findings enrich our understanding of the relationship between social status and legitimacy

Subjective status and perceived legitimacy across countries

The relationships between subjective status and perceived legitimacy are important for understanding the extent to which people with low status are complicit in their oppression. We use novel data from 66 samples and 30 countries (N = 12,788) and find that people with higher status see the social system as more legitimate than those with lower status, but there is variation across people and countries. The association between subjective status and perceived legitimacy was never negative at any levels of eight moderator variables, although the positive association was sometimes reduced. Although not always consistent with hypotheses, group identification, self-esteem, and beliefs in social mobility were all associated with perceived legitimacy among people who have low subjective status. These findings enrich our understanding of the relationship between social status and legitimacy