Renal and Hepatic Dysfunction in Malaria Patients in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Information on kidney and liver involvement in malaria in Africa is still very scanty. Kidney and liver functions were assessed in 70 malaria patients using serum levels of creatinine and urea and urinary protein levels as test indicators of kidney function and serum levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotranferase (AST or SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as indicators of liver function. Descriptive analysis of results obtained showed that 67.14% of patients had creatinine level above the 126µmole/L which is considered the upper limit of the normal range. Three cases (4.29%) had creatinine levels well above 265µmoles/L. The serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, protein, conjugated and total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP in malaria patients were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of malaria free individuals. We conclude that renal dysfunction, acute renal failure and liver dysfunction are clinical features of malaria in Minna, North Central Nigeri

Assessment Of Renal Function In Malaria Patients In Minna, North Central Nigeria

Establishment of prevalence of malaria-associated renal impairment in Nigeria is important for proper prognosis and management of malaria and its associated complications. Using biuret method for protein estimation, alkaline picrate-slot method for creatinine and urea estimation, and flame photometry and titrimetric method for electrolytes estimation, selected kidney function parameters which included proteinuria, serum levels of urea, creatinine and electrolytes were determined in 169 malaria patients and in 58 individuals without malaria. Data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to compare variation among malaria patients and individuals without malaria, Duncan multiple range test to compare variation among means, and correlation matrix to evaluate correlation between the parameters measured. Proteinuria in malaria cases differed significantly (p< 0.05) from individuals without malaria, and a positive correlation existed between proteinuria and parasitaemia. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the creatinine levels of malaria patients and those without malaria. It is concluded that there is a form of renal impairment associated with malaria infection in Minna irrespective of age and sex. Keywords: Malaria, Renal function, Assessment, ARF African Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 57-6

Determination of Anti-nutrients and Toxic Substances of Selected Fresh Leafy Vegetables Obtained from Minna Town, Nigeria

Determination of antinutrients and toxic substances in leafy vegetables is an imperative facet in nutritional studies as it establishes the baseline concentrations index for phytotoxins in the vegetables. Concentrations of cyanide, nitrate, soluble and total oxalates were quantitatively determined in the common leafy vegetables (Amaranthus cruentus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Corchorus olitorius, Telfairia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina) consumed in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, using colourimetric and titrimetric methods. The results show  that the concentration of cyanide in the leafy vegetables is within the permissible level of 200 mg/kg fresh weight while the concentration of nitrate in V. amygdalina and H. sabdariffa is within the acceptable daily intake of 219.00 mg/day, those of A. cruentus, C. olitorius and T. occidentalis is enough to induce toxicity in man. The soluble and total oxalates content in the vegetables are higher than the permissible level except that the concentration of soluble oxalate in H. sabdariffa is within the acceptable level of 250 mg/100 g. The results suggest that while the concentrations of cyanide in the analysed vegetables and nitrate in V. amygdalina and H. sabdariffa are safe for consumption, the concentrations of soluble and total oxalates in the vegetables and nitrate in A. cruentus, C. olitorius and T. occidentalis may contribute to nutritional problems if ingested without proper processing.Keywords: Leafy vegetables, toxic substances, cyanide, nitrate, oxalates                      

The effect of processing and preservation methods on the oxalate levels of some Nigerian leafy vegetables

Titrimetric analysis was used to estimate the level of oxalate in some Nigerian leafy vegetables treated in different ways in two sets of experiments. The treatments were boiling with retention of the water used for boiling, and freezing followed by boiling without retention of the water used for boiling. Results obtained showed that the former in which five different vegetables were used led to significant increases (

Effect of fruiting on micronutrients, antinutrients and toxic substances in Telfairia occidentalis grown in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of fruiting on antinutrients (soluble and total oxalates), toxic substances (cyanide and nitrate) and some micronutrients namely: vitamin C, &beta;-carotene (provitamin A) and mineral elements [(sodium (Na), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca) potassium (K)] in Telfairia occidentalis grown in nitrogen and non-nitrogen treated soil. Vegetable leaves were harvested at both market maturity (vegetative phase) and fruiting (reproductive phase), and were subjected to chemical analysis. Results showed that the cyanide and total oxalate concentrations were significantly higher at fruiting stage of vegetables grown on both control and nitrogen applied soil, while the nitrate and &beta;-carotene concentration in T. occidentalis were significantly reduced irrespective of the soil nitrogen levels. Fruiting however, had no significant effect on soluble oxalate and vitamin C concentration in T. occidentalis grown under control and nitrogen treatment conditiond. The results also revealed that while Fe and Mg contents were increased, K and Cu content decreased significantly with fruiting in both control and nitrogen fertilization treatment. Similarly, the Na content in the vegetable was decreased significantly only when nitrogen fertilizer was used. The levels of Zn and Ca were not affected by fruiting. We conclude that consumption of the leaves of T. occidentalis at vegetative phase (market maturity) reduces the levels of most of the plant toxins and still retain most of the micronutrients in an amount to meet nutritional requirements.Key words: Telfairia occidentalis, anti-nutrients, toxic substances, micronutrients, market maturity and fruiting, soil nitrogen levels

Acute Hypoglycaemic Activities and Fatty Acid Profile of Seed Oil of Moringa oleifera Lam

The adverse effect of oral hypoglycaemic drugs necessitated the search for efficient and safer antidiabetic drugs from herbal formulation. As such, the fatty acids profile and acute antidia­betic activities of Moringa oleifera seed oil extract of petroleum ether (PEEMO) and Moringa oleifera seed oil extract of dichloromethane (DCMMO) were investigated. The 2.0 mL/kg body weight (kg.bw) of both oils, 500 μg/kg.bw of glibenclimide and 2.0 mL/kg.bw of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were given orally to rats in their respective groups after induction with 2 g/kg.bw of glucose solution orally. Unsaturated fatty acids contents were in high proportion in both oils when compared to saturated fatty acids content. Administration of glucose solution significantly elevated the blood glucose level to 24.71, 47.83, 44.05, 44.78 and 30.86% for normoglycaemic, control, glibenclimide, DCMMO and PEEMO respectively at 30 minutes from their respective basal blood glucose level. However, the blood glucose level of the glib­enclimide, PEEMO, DCMMO treated groups were significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced at 60 (24.57, 15.61 and 10.69%), 90 (43.87, 30.08 and 15.45%) and 120 (57.98, 19.82 and 41.33%) minutes respectively when compared with that of 30 minutes’ blood glucose levels. Therefore, Moringa oleifera seed oil extracts demonstrated acute hypoglycaemic effects in glucose fed rats. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, glibenclimide, antidiabetic, diabetes, unsaturated fatty acids

ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN MALARIA PATIENTS IN MINNA, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Establishment of prevalence of malaria-associated renal impairment in Nigeria is important for proper prognosis and management of malaria and its associated complications. Using biuret method for protein estimation, alkaline picrate-slot method for creatinine and urea estimation, and flame photometry and titrimetric method for electrolytes estimation, selected kidney function parameters which included proteinuria, serum levels of urea, creatinine and electrolytes were determined in 169 malaria patients and in 58 individuals without malaria. Data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to compare variation among malaria patients and individuals without malaria, Duncan multiple range test to compare variation among means, and correlation matrix to evaluate correlation between the parameters measured. Proteinuria in malaria cases differed significantly (p0.05) in the creatinine levels of malaria patients and those without malaria. It is concluded that there is a form of renal impairment associated with malaria infection in Minna irrespective of age and sex

Antiplasmodial Efficacy Of Methanolic Root And Leaf Extracts Of Morinda lucida

Development of antimalarial drugs from medicinal plants continues to be a very appealing option. Morindalucida, commonly known as “Ugigo” by the Ebira people in Kogi State North-Central Nigeria, is used in the treatment of malaria, fever, amongst other ailments. Therapeutic effects of the methanolic root extract and a combination of extracts of the leaf and root parts were evaluated in Plasmodium bergheiinfection in mice. Percentage suppression of parasitaemia for the methanolic root extract was 56.30, 59.84, 67.72 and 81.80% for doses of 100, 200, 400mg/kg body weight of the extract, and 5mg/kg chloroquine respectively. The mean survival period in days were 15.00 ± 0.70, 18.75 ± 0.5, 19.75 ± 1.39, 23.25 ± 1.38 and 8.75 ± 1.25, for 100, 200, 400mg/kg body weight of the extract, 5mg/kg chloroquine, and the untreated control respectively. Effective dose dependent inhibitions of parasitaemia were also observed in the curative test. In the combination study, it was observed that, the antimalarial activity for leaf and root was slightly more, compared to that of each of the extracts, as seen in parasite inhibition, after 5days of treatment (26.00, 20.00, 25.28, 21.35, 27.00, 19.50, 8.5 and 85.00), for 100, 200mg/kg leaf extract alone, 100 and 200mg/kg root extract alone, 50, 100mg/kg leaf and root extracts, 5mg/kg chloroquine and control groups respectively. It is concluded that the methanolic root and leaf extracts of Morindalucida are potentially useful for the development of antimalarial drug. Key words: Antimalaria, Percentage suppression, Morinda lucida, Plasmodium berghei, Parasitaemi

Anti-Trypanosomal Potential Of Momordica Balsamina Linn Fruit Pulp Extract Against Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection

The search for new trypanocides has not been keenly pursued due to high cost of design and development with no promise of financial returns. Momordica balsamina fruit pulp extract was screened for antitrypanosomal activity in experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rabbits. The extract was administered prior to parasite inoculation, 24 hours post parasite inoculation and on establishment of infection. The treatment was by oral administration of the extract at 500mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Parasitaemia was monitored daily while body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined before commencement of studies and subsequently at weekly intervals for 28 days. The result showed a significant (

The Effect Of Processing And Preservation Methods On The Oxalate Levels Of Some Nigerian Leafy Vegetables

Titrimetric analysis was used to estimate the level of oxalate in some Nigerian leafy vegetables treated in different ways in two sets of experiments. The treatments were boiling with retention of the water used for boiling, and freezing followed by boiling without retention of the water used for boiling. Results obtained showed that the former in which five different vegetables were used led to significant increases (p&lt;0.05) in the oxalate content of the vegetable preparations. The exception was Vernonia amygdalina in which there was a significant decrease in the oxalate content after boiling. The latter in which three selected vegetables were used however led to significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the level of oxalate of the vegetable preparation, a significant amount having been lost in the decanted water. Boiling and then discarding the water used for boiling vegetables provides a good means of reducing the oxalate content of leafy vegetables and consequently the associated food safety problems