Effect of melatonin on hematological indices in cyclophosphamide induced hematotoxicity in mice

Background: Cyclophosphamide use is often limited by associated hematotoxicity.  This study investigated the effects of melatonin on haematological indices in cyclophosphamide-induced hematotoxicity in mice. Methods: Ninety mice weighing between 20-25 gm were randomly divided equally into nine groups (A-I). Group A (saline control) received 2 ml/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) normal saline with 10 ml/kg distilled water orally, groups B, C and D (melatonin control) received i.p. normal saline with melatonin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg orally, respectively. Group E (cyclophosphamide control) received 150 mg/kg/day i.p. cyclophosphamide with 10 ml/kg distilled water orally, while group F received 150 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide with standard drug, (erythropoietin control) at 100 IU/kg.  Group G, H and I (treatment groups) received 150 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide with melatonin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day orally.  Cyclophosphamide was administered on days 1 and 2 only, oral administrations occur once daily for 14 days. On day 15, animals were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture for assessment of haematological parameters; white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelets (PLT). Results: The results showed a significant increase in WBC in groups C D, G and H (melatonin control; 10 mg/kg. 20 mg/kg and melatonin treatment; 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) and a significant (p=0.001) decrease in group E (cyclophosphamide control) compared to A (saline control). RBC increased significantly in groups B and D (melatonin control; 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) and significantly decreased in group E (cyclophosphamide control) compared to group A (saline control). Compared to group E (cyclophosphamide control), RBC increased significantly in groups F-I (erythropoietin standard, melatonin treatment). PLT increased significantly in groups B, C, (melatonin control; 5mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) G, H and I (melatonin treatment) compared with groups A (saline control) and E (cyclophosphamide control) (p=0.001). Conclusions: Melatonin has potential to attenuate cyclophosphamide-induced hematotoxicity in mice

Nutrition in autism spectrum disorders: A review of evidences for an emerging central role in aetiology, expression, and management

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders whose aetiology remains largely unknown, but for which environmental factors appear to be important. Emerging evidences suggest that nutrition may play a major role in the aetiology of ASD; also, specific maternal nutritional-deficiencies appear to be associated with an increased risk in offsprings. In addition, studies are beginning to reveal the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation or restriction in the management of ASD; while at the same time debunking the myths that surround certain purportedly-therapeutic dietary manipulations. In this narrative review (using information from internet databases such as Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus and authoritative texts), we examine the emerging central role of nutrition in relation to aetiology, symptomatology, management, and indices of outcome in ASD; by highlighting available scientific evidences pertaining to the impacts of different dietary manipulations and nutritional supplementation. We also consider the likely future roles of nutrition in ASD, as science continues to grapple with the understanding of a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are emerging to be largely “nutritional illnesses”

Subchronic Oral Bromocriptine Methanesulfonate Enhances Open Field Novelty-Induced Behavior and Spatial Memory in Male Swiss Albino Mice

This study set out to assess the neurobehavioral effects of subchronic, oral bromocriptine methanesulfonate using the open field and the Y-maze in healthy male mice. Sixty adult Swiss albino mice were assigned into three groups. Controls received normal saline, while test groups received bromocriptine methanesulfonate at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day, respectively, for a period of 21 days. Neurobehavioral tests were carried out on days 1 and 21 after administration. Open field assessment on day 1 after administration revealed significant increase in grooming at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, while horizontal and vertical locomotion showed no significant changes. Day 1 also showed no significant changes in Y-maze alternation. On day 21, horizontal locomotion, rearing, and grooming were increased significantly at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg doses after administration; also, spatial memory was significantly enhanced at 2.5 mg/kg. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the ability of oral bromocriptine to affect neurobehavior in normal mice. It also suggests that there is a cumulative effect of oral bromocriptine on the behaviors studied with more changes being seen after subchronic administration rather than after a single oral dose

Cerebrovascular Disease in the Young Adult: Examining Melatonin’s Possible Multiple Roles

In the last decade or more, there have been reports suggesting a rise in the incidence of stroke in young adults. Presently, it appears that the risk factors associated with the cause of stroke in young adults remain relatively constant across different geographic regions of the world. Moreover, the endogenous rhythm of a neurohormone such as melatonin is known to play certain roles in the modulation of some of the risk factors that are associated with an increased risk of stroke in young people. Whereas animal studies have shown that melatonin plays diverse roles in stroke, only a limited number of human studies examined the roles of exogenous melatonin administration in the prevention of stroke, attenuation of neuronal damage, and improving outcome or well-being in stroke patients. In this review, first we summarize existing studies of stroke in the young adult and then provide insights on melatonin and stroke. Thereafter, we discuss the role of melatonin in models of stroke and how melatonin can be regulated to prevent stroke in young adults. Finally, we highlight the possible roles of melatonin in the management and outcome of stroke, especially in the young adult stroke population

A Histological Study of the Hepatic and Renal Effects of Subchronic Low Dose Oral Monosodium Glutamate in Swiss Albino Mice

Aim: Earlier studies have shown that exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) in large doses during the neonatal period may result in steatohepatitis and evidence of preneoplastic changes in the liver. However, the effect of low dose, chronic oral MSG intake on the histology of the liver and kidneys have not been addressed to date, this study was designed to ascertain if MSG consumption at these doses is associated with histological evidence of hepatic or renal injuries. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy and Department of Pharmacology Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho Oyo State Nigeria between October and November 2011. Methodology: Forty adult male Swiss albino mice weighing between 20-25 mg were assigned into 4 groups A, B, C and D of ten mice each (n=10). Group A served as control and received normal saline while groups B, C and D received MSG daily at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg MSG /kg body weight (BW) dissolved in normal saline respectively for 28 days. On day 29 of the study animals were sacrificed, and the liver and kidneys were removed, weighed and processed for histological examination. Statistical analysis was by one way ANOVA followed by a posthoc test, and results were expressed as mean ±S.E.M. Results: MSG consumption resulted in a significant increase in the relative liver weight at 1.0 and 1.5 mg MSG /Kg BW and a relative increase in kidney weight occurring at 1.5 mg/Kg BW (P<0.05). This was accompanied by a dose- dependent increase in body weight compared to control which failed to reach statistical significance. Liver and kidney histology indicated a loss of normal liver architecture with varying degrees of disorganization and apoptotic cell death compared to controls. The kidneys of MSG-exposed mice exhibited contraction of the renal glomerulus and thickening of the walls of the renal tubules. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that oral consumption of MSG at doses within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) may promote hepatic and renal injuries