Effects of Aqueous Extract of Kola Nut (Cola Nitida Rubra) on Reproductive Hormones in Rats

Our previous study suggests that aqueous extract of kola nut had effect on reproductive hormones in male rats. This study evaluates the effects of kola nut extract on plasma level of testosterone and luteinizing hormones in male rats. 30 adult male rats were used. These were divided into three groups: group A served as control and it received water only, group B and C received kola nut extract only (8mg/kg body weight), C served as recovery group. All the groups were treated for four weeks. The C which served as recovery group was allowed to recover for another four weeks at the end of the extract administration period. The plasma level of testosterone was significantly increased (p<0.05) while that of luteinizing hormone was significantly decreased (p<0.05) when compared with control animals. The recovery group showed values that were insignificantly lowered but a bit closer to those of the control animals. This showed that the rats were able to recover to some extent after the extract administration.Keywords: Kola nut, Testosterone, Luteinizing hormone, RatNig. J. Physiol. Sci. 25(December 2010) 121 – 12

Fruits intake and cardiovascular function in normotensive young adults: A 4 - Week Study

This study assessed the effect of increase fruits intake on cardiovascular health as specified by blood pressure and pulse rate. It is a 4 week study involving 70 apparently healthy normotensive students, between the ages of 20–30 years. They were recruited from the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and grouped into 7 (A - G). While group A received no fruit for the period of the study, B – G received as follows; guava, carrot, orange, apple, banana and a combination of all five fruits respectively. Blood pressure and pulse rate were determined before and after the study to assess the level of cardiovascular health. The results showed that blood pressure and pulse rate remained normal throughout the study. However, blood pressure and pulse rate fell non- significantly (p >0.05) in the treatment groups than those of the controls and as well as the values before treatment. Comparatively, carrot had the most percentage impact on systolic pressure (6.0%) while Apple had the most impact on diastolic pressure (8.81%) and pulse rate (8.49%). Thus, fruits intervention in normotensive  subjects is recommendable and may even be more beneficial for hypertensive individuals considering its clinical  advantage.Key words: Phyto-chemical, Fruits, Hypertension, Blood pressure, Pulse rat