Study of the toxicity of agropesticides used in Djutitsa (West Cameroon) on male reproductive function and protective effect of medicinal plant extracts

L’impact de l’utilisation des agropesticides sur la fonction de reproduction mâle est évalué chez des agriculteurs de Djutitsa (Ouest Cameroun). Le pesticide le plus utilisé par ces agriculteurs est testé in vivo sur la fonction de reproduction du rat mâle, ex vivo et/ou in vitro sur la stéroïdogenèse Leydigienne afin d’évaluer son implication dans les déséquilibres observés chez les agriculteurs. Ensuite, l’effet protecteur des extraits de Carpolobia alba et Basella alba contre les effets délétères dudit pesticide est évalué in vivo chez des rats mâles, ainsi que leur influence sur la production de la protéine de transport des stéroïdes (SHBG) par les cellules HepG2. Les résultats montrent que les agriculteurs utilisent 25 agropesticides et présentent des symptômes liés à une protection inadéquate. De plus, ils présentent une diminution de la testostérone avec une élévation de l’androstènedione sériques comparé au groupe témoin non exposé (P < 0,05) et ces déséquilibres androgéniques sont accompagnés de difficultés de reproduction. Le manèbe est l’agropesticide le plus utilisé et perturbe chez le rat mâle la stéroïdogenèse Leydigienne (à travers l’inhibition de la CYP11A1) et la fertilité. Cette fertilité est améliorée/rétablie lorsque le pesticide est concomitamment administré avec l’un des extraits, suggérant ainsi l’effet protecteur desdits extraits qui est imputable à leur activité androgénique également démontré chez les rats. Toutefois, ces extraits et le manèbe n’affectent pas la production de la SHBG in vitro. Ces résultats soulignent l’altération de la fonction de reproduction mâle par les agropesticides et l’effet bénéfique des plantes médicinalesThe effect of agropesticides use on male reproductive function was evaluated in male farmers in Djutitsa (West Cameroon). The most frequently used agropesticide by farmers was selected and tested in vivo on the reproductive function of male rats, ex vivo and/or in vitro on Leydig cells steroidogenesis, in order to evaluate its implication in disorders observed in farmers. The ability of 2 Cameroonian medicinal plants (Carpolobia alba and Basella alba) to prevent pesticide-induced toxicity was also investigated in vivo in male rats. Furthermore, both extracts and selected pesticide were tested on the release of a steroid transporter protein (SHBG) by HepG2 cells. The results showed that farmers used 25 agropesticides and presented symptoms related to inadequate protection. Moreover, they had lower serum testosterone and higher androstenedione levels compared to a control group with no history of agropesticide exposure (P < 0.05), and these androgenic imbalances were accompanied by difficulties of reproduction. Maneb was the most common ingredient, and its administration to male rats resulted in decrease/alteration of Leydig cells steroidogenesis (through inhibition of CYP11A1) as well as fertility. The latter fertility was improved/restored when maneb was coadministrated to rats with any of the plant extracts, suggesting their protective effect that may be attributed to their proven androgenic activity. However maneb and the plant extracts did not affect SHBG release by HepG2 cells. These results highlight agropesticides deleterious effect on male reproductive function, which may be prevented by the investigated plant extract

Momordica foetida (Cucurbitaceae) prevents behavioral impairment, motor incoordination and brain oxidative stress induced by subchronic exposure to Parastar pesticide formulation

Background: Parastar is an agricultural insecticide formulation composed of two active ingredients; a pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin and a neonicotinoid imidachloprid used in Cameroon for vegetable protection. Previous studies showed reprotoxicity and neurotoxicity of this pesticide formulation. Momordica foetida Schumach. Et Thonn is a medicinal plant with potent antioxidant properties used traditionally in Cameroon for the treatment of several aliments. As farmers are currently exposed to Parastar pesticide formulation, this study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of M. foetida on behavioral impairment, motor incoordination and brain oxidative stress induced by subchronic administration of Parastar. Methods: The study was carried out using 40 Wistar male rats, divided into 5 groups of 8 rats each. The groups received a vehicle (distilled water; 10 mL/kg), Parastar alone (6.23 mg/kg), or concomitantly with M. foetida methanol extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 60 days. The animals were submitted to behavioural tests including, beam walking test, open field test and forced swimming test. At end of the treatment, oxidative stress parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity were assessed in brain of each animal. Results: Parastar induced motor dysfunctions, anxiogenic like and depressive-like behaviours in the animals. The Parastar -induced alterations in behavior were all prevented by M. foetida extract. The plant extract alleviated Parstar-induced oxidative stress and alteration of cholinesterase activity, especially at the dose 100mk/kg. Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that, M. feotida methanol extract may prevent anxiety-like behavior, depressive-like behavior, motor incoordination induced by Parastar, possibly through it antioxidant properties and the preservation of acetylcholinesterase activity. Keywords: acetylcholinesterase, &nbsp;Momordica foetida, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, Parastar, rat

High C-reactive proteins levels, rheumatoid anemia, alpha-1 globulin deficiency, and hypergammaglobulinemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients from yaounde, Cameroon

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoantibodies-mediated disease affecting 0.5%–1% of the population worldwide. The present study was designed to investigate variations of protein profiles and hematological parameters of patients in Yaounde Central Hospital. Methods: The study was conducted from January to November 2017. RA cases were recruited based on the identification of established diagnosis from registers of patients of participating rheumatologists. Healthy volunteers visiting the hospital were also included as a control population. All participants were aged 15 years and above. Whole blood collected from each participant was assayed for hematological parameters. In addition, serum from each participant was assayed for the level of C-reactive proteins (CRPs) using a plate agglutination technique whereas plasma was used for protein profile through a conventional electrophoretic migration of proteins on cellulose acetate gel. Results: Overall, 22 RA patients and 10 controls were recruited and consisted, respectively, in 5 males and 17 females and 2 males and 8 females. Our study revealed that 59.09% (13/22) of patients presented high levels of CRP compared to 10% in the control group. The mean value of red blood cells was 4.38 × 106/μl and 4.698 × 106/μl, respectively, in the RA and the control groups. The mean hemoglobin value was significantly reduced in the RA group (11.07 mg/dl vs. 12.73 mg/dl, P = 0.0192), thus revealing anemia in patients. Nearly 54.5% of patients presented hypoalbuminemia compared to 20% in the control group (P = 0, 1241). A deficiency of α1-globulin was observed in 54.5% of patients while that of control group was 30%. Furthermore, 72% of the patient presented hypergammaglobulinemia compared to 30% in the control group (P = 0.0494). Conclusion: This study revealed that RA patients present a normochromic and normocytic anemia, a decreased albumin and alpha 1 globulin, a significant elevation of gamma-globulins compared to the control population