Effects of Fermented Soya Bean Supplements on Serum Insulin and Leptin Levels of High Fat Diet-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rabbits

Background: Increase in body fat and obesity are the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus which leads to several complications that affect many organs of the body when poorly controlled. Plant food sources rich in fibre and antioxidants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented soya bean supplements on serum insulin and leptin levels of high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits of both sexes weighing, 1–2kg were used. Type 2 diabetes was induced by feeding the animals with a high fat diet for eight weeks. Blood glucose levels were determined after the induction period and rabbits having 130 mg/dL and above were selected for the study. The animals were grouped into four groups with five (n=5) rabbits in each group: Group 1 (diabetic control), received distilled water ad libitum for six weeks; Groups 2, 3 and 4 (diabetic rabbits) were fed with 12.5%, 25% and 50% fermented soya bean supplements respectively for a period of six weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels were determined at weekly interval during the treatment period. At the end of the experiment, the rabbits were euthanized by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected for the determination of insulin, and leptin levels. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA. Results: The result showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in leptin levels (ng/mL) in groups 2, 3 and 4 (11.30 ± 0.20, 9.20 ± 2.06 and 6.40 ± 1.36, respectively) as compared with the control (18.8 ± 1.59). Insulin levels were also decreased in all the treated groups when compared with the control, though not statistically significant, it may be biologically significant. Conclusion: The results of the study show that fermented soya bean supplementation possesses anti-diabetic properties and may help in the control of hyperleptinaemi

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 infection: A synopsis of the host immune responses and viral immune evasion strategies involved

The novel coronavirus designated as SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which rendered the care of the global health powerless and plunged the world economy into a historic decline. This disease is characterized by different clinical pictures; ranging from asymptomatic mild phase to severe illness with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in addition to having no specific therapy. The protective immunity involving solid CD4+ T-cells, viral specific CD8+ T-cells and the neutralizing immunoglobulins have been established in most of the convalescent COVID-19 individuals. On the other hand, the host immune response to severe COVID-19 infection has been attributed to the inflammatory cytokine storm, and to influx of the activated immune cells to the lungs; leading to severe pneumonia, extensive ARDS and finally to death. Despite of this, the protective and pathogenic aspects of the human immunity have not been fully elucidated. Recent attempts conducted by several published research works have focused on information derived from the immune responses to the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus diseases (mainly; SARS and MERS). However, these works lack sufficiency due to variations in the transmissibility, virulence, host-virus interactions and the immune evasion mechanisms. Hence, adequate understanding of the host immune response mechanisms to SARS-CoV-2 will generate the impetus towards effective control and preventive measures. The objectives of this article were to provide an overview of the host immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the viral immune evasion strategies, and to define certain knowledge gaps that require further studies

Wide circulation of peste des petits ruminants virus in sheep and goats across Nigeria

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects goats and sheep in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and threatens Europe [R.E.1]. The disease is endemic on the African continent, particularly in West Africa, and is a major factor driving food insecurity in low-income populations. The aim of this research study was to carry out surveillance, genetic characterisation and isolation of recently circulating PPR viruses (PPRV) in sheep and goats from the six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. A total of 268 post-mortem tissue samples of lung and mesenteric ganglia were collected from clinically suspected sheep and goats in 18 different states, of which five never previously sampled. The presence of PPRV was confirmed using a reverse-transcription coupled with a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 72 samples, 17 sheep (6%) and 55 goats (21%), were found to be PPR positive. Positive samples were distributed in almost all states, except Kano, where PPR was detected in previous studies. The PPRV-positive samples were further confirmed by sequencing or virus isolation in areas where the infection had never previously been detected. These results confirm the active circulation of PPRV across all six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, and consequently, the need for introducing strict measures for the control and prevention of the disease in the country