Low dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed Wistar rats: An experimental study

Background: Synthetic prednisolone (PRED) is a widely used over-the-counter glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids have inhibitory effects on the immune system and are often used as immunosuppressive agents. Suppressed immunity may impact fertility via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Bitter leaf (BL) has been shown to improve sperm parameters, but its effects on immunosuppression-associated infertility have not yet been documented. Objective: To determine the fertility effects of bitter leaf on immunosuppressed Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 5/each). Group A served as a control and were given distilled water in addition to normal feeds, group B received 2 mg/kg PRED for 14 days and served as the standard immunosuppressed group, and groups C-F were immunosuppressed as in B but in addition received 50 mg/kg levamisole, low-dose (250 mg/kg) BL, highdose (375 mg/kg) BL, and low-dose BL + levamisole, respectively. The CD4 counts, hematological parameters, and sperm parameters were analyzed and compared. Results: There were significant decreases in sperm motility, progressive motility, morphology, and life/death ratio in the animals given PRED only compared to the controls (p = 0.002, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively). These were significantly increased in the treated groups, and animals given levamisole and 250 mg/kg BL showed significantly increased sperm counts compared to the controls (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Low-dose BL (250 mg/kg) restored the sperm parameters altered by prednisolone administration. Key words: Bitter leaf, Immunosuppression, Infertility, Prednisolone, Rats

The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain

Spermatotoxic effects of galactose and

While numerous studies have documented the ovotoxic effect of galactose, few available studies on male gonad are of the opinion that it seems to fully escape the toxic effects galactose exerts on the ovary. The present study was therefore designed to further investigate the effects of galactose on male sperm parameters and some reproductive hormones. Thirty male albino rats (200–250 g) were randomly divided in a blinded fashion into 6 groups (n = 5). Group A received normal saline and served as control. Groups B, C, D, E and F received 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg of galactose respectively through oral gavage for 42 days. The results showed that chronic administration of galactose promotes sperm toxicity by reducing epididymal sperm count, motility and percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Moreover, galactose increased luteinizing hormone but slightly decreased testosterone and had no effect on follicle stimulating hormone. Galactose also caused a slight decrease in superoxide dismutase and increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity but no effect on catalase. The present study thus showed that chronic administration of galactose could promote sperm toxicity which could be mediated partly by oxidative stress. Moreover, the response of the hormones is similar to that in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in female galactosemic model

Liver enzymes derangement and the influence of diet in animals given oral albendazole

Background: Albendazole is used as an anthelmintic in the treatment of some parasitic infections. This study determined how the effects of albendazole on liver enzymes are influenced by diet. Materials and Method: Thirty adult male Wistar rats of mean weight 304.12 ± 11.34 g were randomly grouped into five: Group A: Control, was given rat pellets and water only; Group B received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole while fasting; Group C received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with fatty meal; Group D received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); and, Group E received 30 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); they were given orally for 3 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed thereafter and blood samples obtained for quantitative study of the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: Significant elevation in the serum levels of the transaminases especially in animals which were on their normal diet (rat pellets), while ALP was either reduced or increased based on dietary factors. Conclusions: Oral administration of albendazole before meal or with a fatty diet could help limit severe elevation of liver enzymes associated with its use, while still ensuring optimal efficacy

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The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure Adeniyi

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain.Key words: Nicotiana tabacum, cerebrum, frontal lobe, cytoarchitecture, neocortex

Lipid Profile and Liver Histochemistry in Animal Models Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is known to be an important predisposing factor to many diseased conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, atherosclerosis and other metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exposure to smoke from burnt cotton wool and cigarette on plasma lipids, liver biochemistry and histology, in adult Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups of Control A: exposed to fresh atmospheric air; Group B: exposed to cotton wool smoke; and, Group C, exposed to cigarette smoke; and the experiment lasted for 35 days. The animals exposed to cigarette smoke and cotton wool smoke showed higher values of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower values of high density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the control. The observation of the micro architecture and enzymes of the liver tissue revealed reduction in the number and size of liver cells, numerous fibrous tissues, elevated liver transaminases and reduction in endogenous anti-oxidants, with evidence of fatty degeneration, in animals exposed to cigarette smoke compared to those exposed to cotton wool smoke and fresh atmospheric air. Cigarette smoke caused accumulation of lipids in the liver cells, with evidence of on-going necrosis and fibrosis, which indicated the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Lipid Profile and Liver Histochemistry in Animal Models Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is known to be an important predisposing factor to many diseased conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, atherosclerosis and other metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exposure to smoke from burnt cotton wool and cigarette on plasma lipids, liver biochemistry and histology, in adult Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups of Control A: exposed to fresh atmospheric air; Group B: exposed to cotton wool smoke; and, Group C, exposed to cigarette smoke; and the experiment lasted for 35 days. The animals exposed to cigarette smoke and cotton wool smoke showed higher values of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower values of high density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the control. The observation of the micro architecture and enzymes of the liver tissue revealed reduction in the number and size of liver cells, numerous fibrous tissues, elevated liver transaminases and reduction in endogenous anti-oxidants, with evidence of fatty degeneration, in animals exposed to cigarette smoke compared to those exposed to cotton wool smoke and fresh atmospheric air. Cigarette smoke caused accumulation of lipids in the liver cells, with evidence of on-going necrosis and fibrosis, which indicated the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease