Nigella sativa seed extract protects against cadmium-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Objective:  The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of methanolic extract of Nigella sativa (MENS) (Black seed) against cardiotoxicity of cadmium in albino rats.  Methods: Twenty five (25) male albino rats, weighing (150-170g), were randomly grouped into five groups: A-E. Group B (Negative Control) received intraperitoneal administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5mg/kg) only, group C received CdCl2 and low dose MENS (300mg/kg, oral), group D received CdCl2 and high dose MENS (600mg/kg, oral), group E (Positive control) received CdCl2 and Vitamin C (200mg/kg, oral), for 7 days. No treatment was administered to group A (Normal control). Cardiac injury was assessed by measuring serum levels of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine kinase (CK-MB) using standard methods. The heart was harvested for histopathological examination. Results: CdCl2 induced significant cardiotoxicity with marked elevation in the levels of biochemical markers of cardiac functions (p<0.05 or p<0.01); these were however attenuated by MENS. Histopathological examination of the heart sections supported the biochemical findings. Conclusion: Nigella sativa seed extract is potentially cardioprotective against harmful chemical toxins such as cadmium. Keywords: Cadmium, CdCl2, Nigella sativa, Medicinal food, cardiotoxicit

Antidyslipidaemic and cardioprotective effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) in rat fed a high cholesterol diet

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidyslipidaemic and cardioprotective effects of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa (AECL) in rats fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD). Methods: Twenty (20) rats were randomly grouped into four groups: A-D of five animals per group. Groups A-C received HCD (2000mg/kg, oral) and carbimazole (60mg/kg, oral) daily for eight weeks. Group A served as negative control. Group B (positive control) was treated with atorvastatin (20mg/kg), while group C served as treatment group and received AECL (400mg/kg) daily for eight weeks. Group D served as normal control and received no treatment. After the administration, biochemical markers of Lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) were assayed using standard methods. The hearts of the rats were harvested for histopathological studies. Results: AECL significantly induced hypolipidaemia and stabilized lipid biochemical markers (p<0.05 or p<0.01); and protected the cardiac muscle fibres from injuries. Conclusion: Tumeric (Curcuma longa) has antidyslipidaemic and cardioprotective effects. Keywords: antidyslipidaemia, cardioprotection, Curcuma longa, ethnopharmacology, hypercholesterolaemia, Medicinal foods, cardiomyopath

Thirty-five years (1986–2021) of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: bibliometric and scoping analysis

Background Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an acquired defect of the cellular immunity associated with the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease has reached pandemic proportion and has been considered a public health concern. This study is aimed at analyzing the trend of HIV/AIDS research in Nigeria. Method We used the PUBMED database to a conduct bibliometric analysis of HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria from 1986 to 2021 employing “HIV”, “AIDS”, “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”, “Human immunodeficiency virus”, and “Nigeria” as search description. The most common bibliometric indicators were applied for the selected publications. Result The number of scientific research articles retrieved for HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria was 2796. Original research was the predominant article type. Articles authored by 4 authors consisted majority of the papers. The University of Ibadan was found to be the most productive institution. Institutions in the United States dominated external production with the University of Maryland at the top. The most utilized journal was PLoS ONE. While Iliyasu Z. was the most productive principal author, Crowel TA. was the overall most productive author with the highest collaborative strength. The keyword analysis using overlay visualization showed a gradual shift from disease characteristics to diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Trend in HIV/AIDS research in Nigeria is increasing yet evolving. Four articles were retracted while two had an expression of concern. Conclusion The growth of scientific literature in HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria was found to be high and increasing. However, the hotspot analysis still shows more unexplored grey areas in future

Causes of morbidity and mortality among patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria: A 6 year evaluation.

BackgroundData on morbidity and mortality are essential in assessing disease burden, monitoring and evaluation of health policies. The aim of this study is to describe the causes of morbidity and mortality in the wards of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).MethodsThe study took a retrospective approach evaluating causes of morbidity and mortality from 2012-2017. Causes of death were documented based on International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10). Data were retrieved from health records department, UCTH.ResultsOverall, 2,198 deaths were recorded out of the 49,287 admissions during the study period giving a mortality rate of 4.5% comprising 1,152 (52.4%) males and 1,046 (47.6%) females. A greater number of males were admitted via accident and emergency. Age group 15-45 years had the highest number of admissions (57.9%) and deaths (37.7%), while age group >65 years recorded the highest number of deaths per admission (9.7% mortality rate). The broad leading causes of death were infectious and parasitic disease and diseases of the circulatory system (cardiovascular diseases) accounting for 22.7% and 15.8% of all deaths, respectively. However, diseases of the circulatory system recorded the highest number of deaths per admission (13.7% mortality rate). Overall, infectious diseases were the chief cause of mortality in adults while conditions originating from perinatal period were the major cause of death in children. Septicemia (6.0%), stroke (4.2%), liver diseases (4.1%), tuberculosis (3.7%), diabetes (3.6%) and HIV/AIDS (3.4%) were the specific leading cases of deaths. Sepsis, chronic diseases of the tonsil and adenoids and malaria were the specific leading causes of death in children, while sepsis, stroke and liver diseases were the leading cause of death in adults.ConclusionMost causes of deaths in this study are preventable. This study revealed double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases

Critical review of hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia is a clinical condition with an abnormally high serum calcium (Ca) level. Hypercalcemia is associated with many diseases with primary hyperparathyroidism and some malignancies accounting for greater than 90% of cases. Hypercalcemia may be clinically useful as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for these diseases. This paper covers the various etiologies attributing to hypercalcemia, pathogenesis and the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a useful diagnostic marker in hypercalcemia-related diseases such as primary hyperparathyroidism, malignancies and granulomatous disorders. Adequate managements or treatments are aimed to reduce serum Ca levels by preventing bone resorption, enhancing urinary Ca excretion, or preventing intestinal Ca absorption. The optimal choice is dependent on the cause and/or severity of hypercalcemia. Drug treatment or management of hypercalcemia include: Bisphosphonates, Gallium nitrate, Glucocorticoids and Denosumab. [J Med Allied Sci 2017; 7(1.000): 3-8