Hepatoprotective effect of Abrus preatorius on alcohol-induced hepatic damage in rats

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Stereological Quantification of Leydig and Sertoli Cells: Technique of Assessing Antifertility Potentials of Metronidazole

Changes in the numbers or volume of the different cell types in the testis have been widely used to ascertain the effects of environmental and chemical agents on the testis. This study is designed to investigate the direct effects of metronidazole on the testicular cells by quantifying the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells. A total of 105 adult male and 50 female wistar rats weighing 170±10g (70-90 day old) were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into a control and experimental groups. There were four major groups with 5 subgroups consisting of 5 rats each. Varying doses of metronidazole were used depending on the experiment. Experiment 1; animals were fed with 15mg/kg of metronidazole, experiment 2; fed with 30mg/kg of metronidazole, experiment 3; administered with 200mg/kg of metronidazole and experiment 4; fed with 400mg/kg of metronidazole. Each experimental has 5 sub-groups; A control, B; group fed with the experimental dose, C; experimental dose with vitamin E, D; experimental dose with testosterone, E; fed with experimental dose, vitamin E and testosterone and sub­group F, a reversal group which was left for 8weeks after cessation of treatment. At the end of the experiment, animals were scarified and the antioxidant effects of metronidazole were investigated using malonildialdehyde concentration and catalase activity. Results showed that metronidazole at the therapeutic dose of 15mg/kg and 30mg/kg did not have significant negative effect on the testicular cell number. At the dose of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg, there was a marked increase in number of Sertoli and Leydig cells. The results of this study indicate that metronidazole administration (200mg/kg or 400 mg/kg), for 8weeks, caused a reduction in the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testis and this effect was reversible after 8weeks of abstinence. Keywords: stereology, Leydig cells, Sertoli cell

Histopathological Observations of The Wound Healing Properties of Plant Exudates of Jatropha curcas Linn.

This study is aimed at evaluating the wound healing properties of latex exudates of Jatropha curcas Linn based on histopathological observations. The plant is widely known as a source of medicinals for treatment of a variety of ailments. A total of 15 albino wister rats of both sexes weighing between 200 and 260gms were used for this study and were divided into three groups; negative control, positive control (Betadine (R)) andexudates of Jatropha curcas. All rats were incised at the flanks on both sides. After treatment, smear biopsies were taken at the hours of 12, 24, 48, 72, 96,144 and 168 for histopathological evaluations. The histopathological parameters used were number of neutrophils, microphages, lymphocytes and fibroblasts. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the numbers of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts suggestive of its ability in acceleration of wound healings

A Comparative Study On The Cephalic Indices Of Normal Growing Children And Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia In Port Harcourt

A comparative study on cephalic index was carried out on 50 patients, 28 males and 32 females homozygous for sickle cell anaemia, who attended the sickle cell clinic at the University of Port TeachingHospital between the age ranges of 3-18 years. The same was also done for 250 normal growing children 131 males and 119 females between ages 3-18 years who are pupils of schools within at the University of Port Harcourt as well as First International Academy, Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt. The Head Length (Greatest anteroposterior diameter) was measured with the help of spreading calliper, from glabella to inion. The Headbreadth was measured as the maximum transverse diameter between two fixed points. The results showed amean cephalic index value of 79.8±4.3 for the normal growing children while that for male sickle cell children was 77.1±3.7 which is significant (

Anthropometric study of nasal index of Kalabari people of Rivers State

The anthropometric study of the nasal index of the Kalabari people of Rivers state was carried out on five hundred and ten native respondents. Two hundred and fifty six were females while two hundred and fifty four were males. Measurements of the length and width of the nose were taken using a sliding caliper and the nasal index calculated. Other parameters like age and sex were also used to correlate the measurements of the nasal index as well as evaluating the proportional relationship and the degree of the variability found among the males and females. The data collected was statistically analyzed and the results show that on the average, the mean nasal index of the Kalabari people is 94.10±1.18, confirming that kalabari people have platyrrhine nose type. Key words: Nasal index, kalabari people