Assessing the Risk of Birth Defects Associated with Exposure to Fixed-Dose Combined Antituberculous Agents during Pregnancy in Rats

Due to the risks of disease progression and transmission to the newborn, treatment of tuberculosis is often pursued during pregnancy and fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have been found to be beneficial. Unfortunately, there is paucity of data on the safety of the fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs during pregnancy. This study intends to assess the teratogenic effect of fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs on the organogenesis stage of fetal development and also investigate the possible roles of vitamin C in modulating the teratogenic effects of these agents on the fetus using animal model. Pregnant rats were divided into 3 groups with 12 animals per group: group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg) orally; group 2 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents orally; group 3 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents plus vitamin C (10 mg/kg/day) orally. Six rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed on day 20 by cervical dislocation prior to day 21 of gestation, and the foetuses were harvested through abdominal incision for physical examination. Blood samples were collected from the 1st filial rats of the remaining six animals for biochemical and hematological examination. The liver, kidney, heart, and brain of all the sacrificed animals were used for histopathological examination. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) low birth weights of the foetuses of the animals that were treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents. The haematological parameters also revealed a reduction in the platelets counts and neutrophiles at the first filial generation. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) elevations in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the foetuses of the animals treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents were also observed. However, the combination of vitamin C with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the level of AST. Fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have teratogenic potential as shown in low birth weight and mild liver damage in the first filial of the treated animals. As much as it is imminent to treat TB patients in pregnancy, there is need to always exercise caution and clinically weigh the risk-benefit ratio

Ameliorative potential of quercetin and rutin on dextromethorphan-induced toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Dextromethorphan as an antitussive has been reported to have deleterious effect on the testicular function. Quercetin is an extensive class of polyphenolic flavonoid compounds found in plant sources like green vegetables and tea. It is considered to be a strong antioxidant due to its ability scavenge free radicals and bind transition metal ions. Rutin is a flavonoid of the flavonol-type that is found in plant kingdom and a nutritional component of foodstuffs in apples, onions and black tea. In this study, we determined the effect of Quercetin and Rutin on Dextromethorphan-induced toxicity in males using Sprague-Dawley rats as models. Eighty male rats (150 ± 30 g) divided into four (N=20; A-D) were used for a duration of 16 weeks. Group A, control received distilled water (DW); group B-C received 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg of DM respectively. At the end of treatment period, 5 animals were selected and euthanized from each group. Seminal parameters and Hormonal milieu were analysed. The remaining 15 rats were divided into 3 groups (N=5; E-G). They received Quercetin (50 mg/kg) Rutin (25 mg/kg) and DW respectively for 16 weeks to ascertain recovery rate. The rats were sacrificed and the above parameters were analysed. Significant dose-dependent reduction in seminal parameters and hormones was observed in DM- treated groups. An increase in seminal parameters and hormonal milieu was observed when DM- treated and recovery-alone groups were compared to Rutin and Quercetin groups. The supplementation of Rutin and Quercetin showed significant increases in the parameters which could mitigate the toxic effect of Dextromethorphan and in turn translates into improved fertility in males

Impact of alcohol on male reproductive hormones, oxidative stress and semen parameters in Sprague–Dawley rats

Objective: To investigate the impact of alcohol on the reproductive hormones, oxidative stress and semen parameters. Design: This is an experimental animal study. Materials and methods: Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing between 170 and 200 g received 30% v/v ethanol at a concentration of 2 g/kg body weight for a period of 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 16 weeks. Parameters tested include: testosterone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), sperm count and sperm motility. Results: After the 4 week study, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in estrogen levels, sperm count and sperm motility. Testosterone levels also decreased while MDA levels increased significantly. After the 8 week study, testosterone levels decreased significantly, LH and FSH also decreased but GnRH levels increased significantly. MDA and SOD levels increased significantly but sperm count and sperm motility decreased significantly compared to controls. After the 16 week study, testosterone and GnRH levels decreased significantly compared to controls. MDA levels increased significantly while sperm count and motility decreased significantly. Conclusion: Acute and chronic administration of alcohol depletes testosterone levels, increases oxidative stress and decreases semen parameters. This impact of alcohol on testosterone levels is mediated by direct testicular toxicity and by altering the hormone feedback system in the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

Vitamins A and D attenuation of flutamide-induced alterations in testicular micromorphology, reduced spermatogenesis, and steroidogenesis

Low testosterone is known to be a male infertility factor. Flutamide a drug of choice in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia is associated with suppressed male fertility as it antagonizes action of testosterone. This study was therefore designed, to investigate the effect of combination therapy of fat soluble vitamins A and D on flutamide-induced testicular dysfunction. Twenty five adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150-270 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (n= 5 per group) as follows. Control group was given the vehicle saline;  flutamide group was administered flutamide; flutamide-Vit D group was treated with vitamin D following administration of flutamide; flutamide-Vit A group was treated with vitamin A following administration of flutamide, and finally, there was flutamide-Vit A&amp;D group which was treated with vitamins A and D following administration of flutamide. The drugs were administered for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. The right testes were recovered, weighed, fixed in 10% formal saline and processed for histological staining. Blood samples were collected through ocular puncture, centrifuged and serum obtained was used for serum testosterone assay using ELISA test kit. The left testes were homogenized in ice-cold phosphate buffer, centrifuged and the supernatant used for oxidative stress analysis. The caudal epididymides were recovered and used for sperm analysis. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA with significance level set at p&lt;0.05. Result on histoarchitecture of male reproductive organs showed distortion of the testis, vas deference and prostate. Serum testosterone levels was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased in groups that received vitamins A and D. Sperm parameters of group that received combination of vitamin A and D also increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) increase. Testicular antioxidants enzymes in the group that received vitamins A and D showed significant (p&lt;0.05) increase. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that a combined therapy of vitamins A and D could yield better result in the management of flutamide-induced male infertility.Keywords: Flutamide, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Spermatogenesi

Pattern of tooth replacement and colour choice among patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital

No Abstrac

Immediate replacement of lost teeth in a tertiary hospital, Lagos State Nigeria

Background: Sudden loss of tooth can be a cause of great concern for patients. There are different treatment modalities available for replacing lost tooth. Demand for immediate tooth replacement is common especially in aesthetics-conscious patients.Objectives: To determine most common types of immediate tooth replacement in a tertiary hospital in Lagos.Methods: Records of patients who attended the Restorative Dentistry clinics of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) over a period of ten months were retrieved. Demographic data including patient's occupation was collected. Clinical history including tooth/teeth indicated for immediate replacement, treatment obtained and reasons for sudden or immediate tooth loss were obtained from the records. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and results presented as frequency tables and tests for association were carried out.Results: Thirty (30) cases were retrieved, this comprised of 14(46.7%) males and 16 (53.3%) females. The age range was 18-79 years with a mean age of 49.30 ± 17.37 years.The majority (70%) of the immediately replaced teeth were in the anterior region. No significant association was found between age, gender, occupation and the location/type of teeth replaced. Most common cause of tooth loss was periodontal disease (50%), followed by trauma (13.3%) and failed root canal treatment (10%). All the patients had removable acrylic partial dentures as immediate tooth replacement.Conclusion: Removable acrylic partial denture was the only type of immediate tooth replacement, it was commoner in the elderly age group having periodontal diseases and in patients whose occupation involved frequent social/public interaction.Keywords: Tooth-loss, Immediate tooth replacement, Denture

Effect of balance exercise on selected kinematic gait variables in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance exercise on some selected kinematic gait parameters in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. Forty subjects (18 men and 22 women) participated in the study.They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (experimental) that was treated with balance exercises, thermal therapy and soft tissue massage; Group 2 (control), treated with thermal therapy and soft tissue massage without balance exercise. Gait analysis was done from footprints on a 900cm walking paper and functional balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. The result showed a significant difference (

Aspirin augments hyaluronidase induced adhesion inhibition

Postoperative adhesions occur after virtually all abdomino-pelvic surgery and are the leading cause of intestinal obstruction and other gynaecologic problems. We used an animal model to test the efficacy of combined administration of aspirin and hyaluronidase on adhesion formation. Adhesions were induced using standardized primary adhesiogenic traumatic lesion to the uterine serosa at laparotomy. Operated rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and various solutions were left in the peritoneal cavity before operative closure. Group I had 10mls of saline, group II had 10mls of aspirin (0.5mg/ml), group III 10mls hyaluronidase (1.5 i,m/ml), and group IV had 10mls mixture of aspirin and hyaluronidase (5mls aspirin and 5mls hyaluronidase) containing 0.5mg and 1.5 i.u. respectively. After 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed and laparotomy was performed to evaluate adhesions. A modified version of the Swolin scoring system was adopted in estimating adhesion formation based on width, thickness and strength of the adhesions. Scores were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance. Scores for animals receiving the combined aspirin and hyaluronidase was signficantly lower than the three controls (

African mistletoe (loranthaceae) enhances spatial and non-spatial working memory in hypercholesterolemia model of Alzheimer's disease

Background: Cholesterol is invaluable in the development and maintenance of the structural integrity of the brain. However, a disturbed cholesterol homeostasis and heightened level of cholesterol lead to memory deficit, a major cognitive hallmark of Alzheimer's dementia. African Mistletoe (Loranthaceae) has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Africa. In addition to its application in cancer therapy, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of hypertensions, diabetes mellitus, and epilepsies in Africa. In the present study, we investigated the memory enhancing property in mouse hypercholesterolemia model of ADMaterials and Methods: An experimental model of AD was established by feeding the mice with a high cholesterol diet and CuSO 4-poisoned drinking water for 60 days. The  mice were subsequently treated with mistletoe methanolic extract preparation via oral administration (200 mg/kg daily for 15 days) or with normal saline (0.5 ml) as a Control. Behavioural changes were recorded with the Y-Maze and Novel Object Recognition tests. Histopathological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Plasma cholesterol levels were determined using colorimetric assay. With the aid of GraphPad Prism V.5.0 software, data were analysed using One-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple range and Benferroni post-tests, respectively. The level of statistical significance was put at p&lt;0.05.Results: Memory deficits were recorded in animals following a high cholesterol diet and CuSO 4- poisoned  drinking water compared with the Control; post treatment with African mistletoe significantly ameliorated memory deficits. Furthermore, histoarchitectural changes were observed in the AD model and marked restorations were seen after treatment with African mistletoe methanolic extract.Conclusion: The present investigation has demonstrated that methanolic extract of African mistletoe enhances memory following impairment induced by a high cholesterol diet feeding in mice

Effect of loss of posterior teeth and tooth replacement on Quality of life(QoL)

Background: Posterior tooth loss may result in impairment of masticatory function and subsequently oral health quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of posterior tooth loss and the effect of prosthetic replacement on the quality of life of the patient.Methods: This study was carried out among patients between the ages 25 and 65years attending the Prosthetic Outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. It involved a total of 100 participants, cases were patients that required removable partial denture for missing posterior teeth, while the control included fully dentate individuals. Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) wasmeasured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaires before denture placement and 3months after denture use.Results: The most commonly missing posterior teeth were the first molars, the most frequently lost and replaced number of posterior teeth were two teeth. Mean OHIP-14 scores for all dimensions was reduced after treatment of cases with dentures, with significant reduction in physical, psychological and social disabilities and subsequent improvement in OHRQoL. The highest mean score of 3.160±1.447 was recorded before treatment for the physical pain domain while the least score was 0.480 for both social and handicap&nbsp; domains. Overall mean score for the cases (9.78±6.69) when compared with control (4.36±4.75) was relatively higher.Conclusion: Increased number of tooth loss caused elevated and unfavorable scores of OHIP-14, removable partial denture succeeded in significantly improving the oral health related quality of life of subjects. The findings of this study underscores the importance of replacing missing posterior teeth. Key words: posterior tooth loss, replacements, quality of lif