Some Biochemical, Haematological and Histological Responses to a Long Term Consumption of Telfairia occidentalis-Supplemented Diet in Rats

Some biochemical, haematological and histological responses were studied in rats undergoing a long term feeding with a Telfairia occidentalis-supplemented diet. Biochemical and hematological parameters investigated included serum protein, total cholesterol, lipid peroxidation, haemoglobin, white blood cells, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Glutathione-stransferase and Superoxide dismutase. Histological changes associated with Telfairia occidentalissupplemented diet on the liver, intestine and testes were also examined. Results showed that Telfairia occidentalis-supplemented diet caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in weight and haemoglobin. Cholesterol and lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced (p<0.05). There were however no significant changes in the enzymes including Aspartate minotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Glutathione-s-transferase and Superoxide dismutase. Only Alkaline phosphatase was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Histological changes showed hypertrophy of the intestinal propia and reduced globlet cells while the testes exhibited thick basement membrane and large spermatogonia

A Comparative Study of Plasma Trace Elements (Copper, Iron and Zinc) Status in Anaemic and Non-anaemic Pregnant Women in Abakaliki, Nigeria

For a comparative study of plasma copper, iron and zinc between anaemic and non-anaemic pregnant women, data for anaemic (n = 223) and non-anaemic (n = 126) pregnant women drawn from a cohort of 351 pregnant Nigerians recruited at gestational age of ≤ 25 weeks for the study of impacts of trace element status on pregnancy outcomes were analysed. With the exception of plasma copper which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in anaemic women in comparison to the non-anaemic women (10.11 ± 10.15 vs. 8.68 ± 7.92 µmol/l), plasma iron and zinc were lower (p > 0.05) in the former. While plasma copper, iron and zinc concentration were not correlated with maternal haemoglobin concentration, plasma zinc significantly correlated negatively (r = -0.141, p < 0.05) with plasma copper. It is thus concluded that anaemia in pregnant women in this population may partly be due to a combination of trace element deficiencies and their interactions with each other. While interventions should go beyond improving intakes, more research is desired to clearly define these interactions

Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effect of ethanol extract of coconut (Cocos nucifera) on experimental rats

The effect of the ethanol extract of coconut on egg albumin- induced inflammation in rat hind paw, hypotonicity induced haemolysis of human red blood cells and indomethacin – induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats, was studied. Fifty adult rats of either sex of weight 120-200g were divided into ten experimental groups of five rats each; five groups were used for the inflammation test, while the other five groups were used for ulcer test. Inflammation was induced by injecting 0.1ml undiluted fresh egg albumin (philogistic agent) into the subplantar surface of the right hind paw of the rats. Ethanol extract of coconut with doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, andindomethacin (100mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to separate groups of the rats one hour before inducing inflammation. The control group received equivalent volume of normal saline (vehicle). Ulcer was induced in the rats by the administration of indomethacin (50mg/kg) (p.o.) using standard procedures. Coconut extract with doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, and ranitidine (100mg/kg) were administered orally to separate groups of the rats thirty minutes before inducing ulcer. The control group received equivalent volume of normal saline (vehicle). Thepercentage ulcer inhibition was taken as the measure of the protection against ulcer offered by the coconut extract. The effect of the coconut extract on haemolysis induced by distilled water was evaluated by incubating various concentrations of the extract with red blood cells and distilled water. The effect of the standard antiinflammatory drug, indomethacin was determined as a positive control. Changes in absorbance were used to assess the extent of haemolysis, hence membrane stabilization. From the results obtained, rats treated with 100 and 200mg/kg of the extract showed significant reduction of oedema at the later phase of inflammation and also reduced the ulcer induced by indomethacin, with 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg doses having an ulcer inhibition of 65.4% and 67.9% respectively; 400mg/kg of the extract increased the paw oedema of the animals and also evinced an increase in ulceration when compared to control. The coconut extract gave a dose dependent reduction in the haemolysis induced by distilled water. This suggests that the extract at low doses has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effect.Key words: Coconut extract, ulcer, inflammation, haemolysi

Marital Disharmony: Causes and resolution strategies in Enugu State of Nigeria

This study investigated the causes of marital disharmony and resolution strategies for resolving marital disharmony among couples in Enugu State. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was used. The sample for this study comprises 300 (150 literate and 150 non-literate) couples drawn through multi-stage random sampling from a population of 646,311 married people. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The research questions were analyzed using mean scores and hypothesis tested with t-test statistics. The findings revealed among others, infertility, lack of trust, sexual deprivation, early marriage, finance, communication gap, infidelity as the causes of marital disharmony. Avoiding the idle mind by engaging in hard work, use of family counsellors, listening carefully to spouse, developing a positive attitude towards disharmony, communicating feelings of love, admiration, likes and dislikes, are resolution strategies for resolving marital disharmony. However, there is no significant difference in the perception of literate and non-literate couples about the extent of the use of resolution strategies in resolving marital disharmony. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. Key words: Marital disharmony, causes, resolution strategies, literacy

Dose and duration dependent of aluminium in the serum liver and the brain of male Wistar albino rat

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis on dose and duration dependent aluminum concentration in serum, liver and brain digests of three groups of male Wistar albino rats were investigated after seven and fourteen days of daily 0.38mg/kg, 3.8mg/kg and 38mg/kg aluminum administration respectively. The results showed that the test animals given the highest dose of (3.8mg/kg bw) of toxicant increase significantly (

Resolution Strategies Adopted in Resolving Marital Disharmony among Couples in Enugu State

This study investigated the resolution strategies adopted in resolving marital disharmony among couples to help in empowering families for sustainable healthy lifestyles in Enugu state. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was used. The sample for this study comprises 300 (150 literate and 150 non-literate) couples drawn through simple random sampling technique from a population of 643, 311. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The research questions were analyzed using means while the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. The findings revealed among others, that avoiding the idle mind by engaging in work, use of family counselors, listening carefully and speaking tactfully to spouse, developing a positive and healthy attitude towards disharmony, communicating feelings of love, admiration, likes and dislikes to each other help in resolving marital disharmony among couples and empowering families for sustainable healthy lifestyles in Enugu state. However, there is no significant difference in the perception of literate and non-literate couples about the resolution strategies adopted in resolving marital disharmony. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. Keywords: marital disharmony, resolution strategies, literacy, couples

Hepatotoxic effects of low dose oral administration of monosodium glutamate in male albino rats

The present study is aimed at investigating the potentials of low concentration administration of monosodium glutamate in inducing hepatotoxic effects in male albino rats. Thus, monosodiumglutamate at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight was administered to adult male albino rats by oral intubation. Treatment was daily for 28 days. The monosodium glutamate treatment significantly (