Biochemical Changes in Alloxan - Induced Diabetes Rat Liver and Kidney Dosed Artesunate

Diabetes is a disease marked by elevated blood sugar levels, and the second leading cause of renal diseases and blindness worldwide. Artesunate is an antimalarial drug, that has been reported to have hypoglycemic potential, but to the best of our knowledge, much work has not been done to explore the biochemical and clinical implications of administration of artesunate on a diabetic subject. This study investigates biochemical changes in terms of oxidative status associated with oral administration of artesunate on diabetic animal model. Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing averagely 200g were divided into four groups of seven rats each, Group A-control, B- Diabetes only, C- Artesunate only, D- Diabetes + Artesunate. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally, at a single dose of Alloxan(160mg/kg body weight(bw). Artesunate was administered orally in aqueous solution at 2.90mg/kg bw on day one, and at 1.45mg/kg bw on the subsequent 7days. Spectrophotometric technique was used for biochemical analysis in serum, kidney and liver homogenates. Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities as well as Creatinine concentration were significantly (P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, while group D showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease compared with group B. Total protein concentration was significantly(P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, while group D  showed an insignificant  decrease compared  with group B. Moreover, Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and Catalase(CAT) activities as well as  Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were significantly(P<0.05) decreased in group B compared with control, and were restored near to the control level significantly (P<0.05) in group D, compared with group B. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, but was reversed significantly (P<0.05) in group D compared with group B. Artesunate ameliorates oxidative stress in diabetic rats liver and kidney, possess hypoglycemic effect, hence antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects of artesunate may be beneficial to diabetic liver and kidney. Keywords: Artesunate, Diabetes mellitus, Hypoglycemia, Alloxan, Antioxidant. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/72-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Assessment of microbial profile of selected proprietary broiler chicken feeds sold in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria

The growth in poultry industry has resulted in heavy dependence on finished feeds supplied by feed millers, the quality of which determines the profit margin of the farmers. Presence of pathogenic and toxigenic microbes, however, tends to deplete the nutritive value of poultry diets. This study, therefore, focused on assessing the incidence and concentration of micro-organisms in five selected brands of proprietary broiler feeds sold in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria. None of the feed samples investigated was devoid of pathogenic and toxigenic pathogens of public health concern. Bacterial and fungal isolates recovered include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, Fusarium spp, Mucor spp, and Penicillium notatum. Total microbial counts were significantly different (P<0.05) among the selected feed brands for both Broiler Starter and Finisher diets. Occurrence and high level of pathogenic microbes observed in this study indicated that quality of finished feeds offered to broilers chickens could predispose them to health hazard with resultant economic loss. Strategies to improve the shelf life of commercial finished feeds, such as inclusion of toxin binders, are hereby advocated.Keywords: Broiler, Feeds, Quality control, Bacteria, Fungi, Mycotoxin