Different Therapeutic Interventions And Mechanisms of Action of Antisickling Agents Currently in Use in Sickle Cell Disease Management

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by sickle haemoglobin. In many forms of the disease, the red blood cells can change shape upon deoxygenation due to abnormal sickle haemoglobin polymerisation. The haemoglobin proteins stick to each other, causing the cell to have a rigid surface and sickle shape and in the process damaging the red blood cell membrane, causing the cells to become stuck in blood vessels. This deprives the downstream tissues of oxygen and causes ischaemia and infarction (which may cause organ damage), such as stroke. Incidences of the disease are found most commonly in people of African descent and less commonly in people of Mediterranean, Latino, East Indian, and Arab descent (in that order). In African countries such as Nigeria, Gabon, Ghana, and the Republic of Congo, the prevalence of the sickle cell trait is between 20% and 30%, with the disease affecting ˜2–3% of the population. Herbal formulations prepared from plants are known as phytomedicines and are effective in keeping the patient out of a crisis state and enabling them to live stable lives in society, even though the faulty S gene is not eradicated but instead managed. This review highlights some of the therapeutic options in use in the management of sickle cell disease with a view to inspiring future research on this subject

Effects of chronic exposure to paint fumes among artisans in Lagos State, Nigeria

The chronic effects of automobile paint fumes and their volatile organic constituents form detrimental air pollution with hazardous consequences especially to paint industrial workers and the population within the vicinity. This study investigated the chronic effects of exposure to paint fumes in Mushin area of Lagos, Nigeria. Fifty artisans employed in automobile painting industries were compared with 50 control group whose work does not expose them to paint fumes. Five milliliters blood was collected and used for assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters. This was compared in artisan and unexposed control group and p value of < 0.05 in�dicates significant difference. In artisans, kidney function analysis showed a significant decrease in potassium (3.63 ± 0.1012 mEq/L) compared to healthy control (4.26 ± 0.1699 mEq/L, p = 0.0049), as well as bicarbonate ion concentration (23.89 ± 0.3795 vs 26.40 ± 0.3578 mmol/L respectively, p = 0.0011), however, a significant increase in creatinine level was recorded in artisans than control group (1.140 ± 0.1075 vs 0.76 ± 0.03578 mg/ dL, p = 0.03); which is an indicator of renal function impairment. AST and ALT levels were significantly higher in artisans (11.44 ± 0.8190 and 8.78 ± 0.7558 U/L) compared to control group (6.83 ± 0.3086 and 6.67 ± 0.3354 U/L), respectively (p < 0.05), while ALP levels were similar. For oxidative stress parameters - CAT, MDA and protein, there was a significant increase in artisans while the corresponding GSH and SOD activities decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The results showed similar Zinc and Chromium levels in both groups but Lead was not detected in any participant. The findings of this study indicate that chronic exposure to paint fumes among automobile painting artisans may impair renal function, liver function and induce oxidative damages. Creating awareness of potential dangers and recommending use of personal protective equipment among automobile painting artisans can further decrease their exposure

Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Biological Activities of Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit Extracts from Lagos

This study investigated the nutritional, phytochemical, and biological activities of Chrysophyllum albidum aqueous (CAA) and ethanolic (CAE) fruit extracts from Lagos. Proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions, phytochemicals, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the extracts were analysed. There was no difference in the composition of moisture content, total ash, carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, fibre, and caloric values in CAA and CAE. Elemental analysis showed the presence of sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, and copper, while vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, and K were also present. The total tannin, flavonoid, and phenol contents of CAA were higher than those of CAE; however, CAE elicited stronger reducing power, antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and nitric oxide scavenging activities than CAA. The antibacterial activity of CAA was bactericidal on all tested bacterial clinical strains with the most promising activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity of CAE was bactericidal on all tested organisms except Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus faecalis on which it was bacteriostatic. The most promising bactericidal activity was against Staphylococcus epidermidis and P. aeruginosa. These findings conclude the strong antioxidant effect of C. albidum fruit extracts in addition to a broad-spectrum antibacterial property