Antioxidant Activity of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Testicular Oxidative Stress after Experimentally-induced Cryptorchidism in Male Rats was Optimal at Low Dose

The antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera leaf have been found beneficial in several conditions characterized by oxidative stress. It is widely used for medicinal purposes and its consumption is unregulated. It is also known that standard antioxidant could be prooxidants at doses higher than the recommended. The present study investigated the effects of low and high doses of methanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaf (MEMO) on testicular oxidative stress and histology of cryptorchid rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups. Group A was sham-operated and administered distilled water (p.o), groups B, C and D were bilaterally cryptorchid and orally treated with distilled water, low dose MEMO (200mg/kg) and high dose MEMO (500mg/kg), respectively. After three weeks of treatments, the left testis was obtained, weighed and assessed for histopathological variation while, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) activities were determined in the right testis. Testicular SOD activity reduced while GGT was increased in the cryptorchid compared with the control. Low dose MEMO-treated cryptorchid had increased SOD with reduced GGT activity compared to the untreated cryptorchid rats. At high dose of MEMO, SOD activity was significantly reduced while GGT activity increased. Testicular histology showed distorted cytoarchitecture and degeneration of germ cells in the cryptorchid rats. This was ameliorated in the low dose MEMO-treated group while there was no difference between the testicular cytoarchitecture of untreated cryptorchid and the high dose MEMO-treated rats. Thus, Moringa oleifera leaf extract at low dose ameliorated the disruption of testicular cytoarchitecture while the condition was aggravated by high dose in the experimentally-induced cryptorchid rats

Sodium bicarbonate supplementation prevents cardiac hypertrophy in male rats exposed to high intensity swim exercise via inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase activity

Background: Cardiac hypertrophy is linked with ventricular arrhythmia and can be fatal among athletes  engaged in high intensity exercise. This study investigates the effect of sodium bicarbonate on cardiac hypertrophy induced by swim exercise in male Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar (100-150 g) randomly divided into 5 groups 1-5 (n =8) were used. Group 1 was the control sedentary animals while groups 2-3 and 4-5 were exercised at low or high intensity, respectively. Groups 1,2 and 4 received distilled water while groups 3 and 5 received sodium bicarbonate (250 mg/kg, p.o) daily. Exercise was carried out by swimming in a temperature regulated water tank 5 days/ week for 8 weeks. The intensity was varied by attaching 5% body weight load to the tail of the high intensity exercise groups while the low intensity groups were unloaded. Body weight was monitored weekly. Blood samples were obtained for plasma lipid profile, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration. Cardiac hypertrophy was determined from the heart weight to tail length (HW:TL) ratio. Data were presented as Mean ± SEM. Results: Final body weights of all exercised groups were not different when compared with their initial weight. Cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were decreased in the high intensity exercise group treated with sodium bicarbonate. Triglyceride level was not different across all groups while High-density lipoprotein increased in the low intensity untreated and low intensity treated groups. CRP level was not different across all groups while LDH activity was significantly decreased in the high intensity exercised group treated with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate treatment also caused significant decrease in HW:TL ratio in the treated high intensity exercise group compared with their corresponding untreated group. Conclusion: Sodium bicarbonate supplementation ameliorated swim exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy in male Wistar rats through a mechanism that probably involves lactate dehydrogenase activity

Effect of vitamin C on glucose metabolism in partial and total paradoxical sleep-deprived male wistar rats

Background: Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with increases in oxidative stress and impaired glucose homeostasis. The effect of vitamin C on glucose metabolism and oxidative stress in sleep deprived animals was investigated in this study.Method: Thirty male Wistar rats (150-200 g) divided into six groups as control; control + vitamin C (CC); partial sleep deprived (PSD); partial sleep deprived + vitamin C (PSDC); total sleep deprived (TSD); and total sleep deprived + vitamin C (TSDC) were used. Paradoxical sleep deprivation was by the modified multiple platform for 20 hours daily in PSD and PSDC or for 24 hours daily in TSD and TSDC for 7 days. Vitamin C (300mg/kg, daily) was administered to animals in CC, PSDC and TSDC groups. After the 7 days SD and/or vitamin C treatment, blood samples were obtained for fasting blood glucose, lactate, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Muscle and liver samples were obtained for glycogen determination while hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities were determined in the liver sample.Results: Body weight decreased significantly in TSD rats; the percentage weight loss was however reduced in TSDC. Serum MDA increased in PSD and TSD compared with control; but lower in PSDC and TSDC compared with PSD and TSD, respectively. Catalase activity was decreased in TSD and TSDC. Fasting blood glucose level, plasma lactate and muscle glycogen were reduced in TSD and TSDC. Hepatic glycogen increased in TSD but decreased in TSDC. Glucose 6-phosphatase activity decreased in PSD but increased in TSD; also, the activity decreased in TSDC with no difference in PSDC compared with control. Hexokinase activity was decreased in TSD but increased in TSDC.Conclusion: Partial sleep deprivation had no effect on glucose metabolism but total sleep deprivation caused derailment in glucose metabolism which was not reversed by vitamin C despite reductions in oxidative stress.Keywords: Sleep deprivation, Glucose metabolism, Vitamin C, Oxidative stress, Rat

Nigella sativa oil attenuates aluminum-induced behavioral changes, oxidative stress and cortico-hippocampal neuronal degeneration in rats

Background: Aluminum (AlCl3) usage in both the industrial and domestic arena has dramatically risen over time owing to its ubiquity and utility for many activities despite frequent reporting of its neurotoxic effects over wide range of concentrations. The neuro-protective effects of Nigella sativa Oil (NSO) following intermediate exposure to aluminum salts has largely been unexplored. The present study explores the ameliorative and neuro-protective functions of NSO on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced damages in the frontal cortices and hippocampus of exposed rats. Methods: The study involved the use of thirty two adult male Wistar rats weighing 180 ± 20 g, randomly divided into four groups, in which group 1 received saline, group 2 received AlCl3 (100 mg/kg), group 3 received AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) followed by NSO (1 ml/kg) 30 min later, while group 4 received NSO (1 ml/kg) only. All administrations were done orally for 14 days. Standardized behavioural tests for anxiety and cognitive performance were carried on after the treatments prior to euthanizing (Ketamine 10 mg/kg, ip). On day 15, the rats were euthanized, and their brains excised, with the frontal cortex and hippocampus removed. Five of these samples were homogenized and centrifuged to analyze nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and total reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the other three were processed for histology (cresyl violet stain) and proliferative markers (Ki-67 immunohistochemistry). Results: Increased Transfer latency, time in dark box, escape latency and reduced rearing frequency, percentage alternation and time in platform quadrant were observed in the AlCl3 exposed rats. There was also an increased level of ROS and NO in the brain regions with marked inhibition of neuronal cell proliferation as evidenced by reduced Ki-67 protein expression in the brain of AlCl3 only rats. However, rats co-administered AlCl3 and NSO showed significantly reduced ROS and NO levels, improved anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors and increased Ki-67 expression when compared with AlCl3 only treated rats. Conclusion: AlCl3 exposure causes neuronal damage and impaired anxiety-like and memory indices which are associated with increased free radical generation and inhibited neuronal proliferation, whereas the antioxidant and neuro-protective properties of NSO were efficacious against the observed effects. Keywords: Aluminum chloride, memory impairment, neuronal damage, Ki-67, nigella sativa oi

Fabrication and characterization of clay-polyethylene composite opted for shielding of ionizing radiation

This study fabricated and characterized a self-sustaining hydrogenous content claypolyethylene composite opted for ionizing radiation shielding. Composites designated A–G were fabricated each containing 0–30 wt% of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE), respectively. To know the effects of the incorporated LDPE on the morphology, microstructural, compressive strength, thermal property and displacement effect on the vital elements were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), universal mechanical testing machine, differential thermal analysis (DTA), Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), respectively. The bulk densities of the clay composites ranged between 1.341 and 2.030 g/cm3. The samples’ XRD analysis revealed similar patterns, with a sharp and prominent peak at angle 2 equals ~26.11 , which matched with card number 16-0606 of the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) that represents Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), a basic formula for Kaolin clay. The compressive strength ranged between 2.52 and 5.53 MPa. The ratio of Si to Al in each composite is about 1:1. The dehydroxylation temperature for samples ranged between 443.23 C and 555.23 C.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystalsam2022Physic

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Understanding the health consequences associated with exposure to risk factors is necessary to inform public health policy and practice. To systematically quantify the contributions of risk factor exposures to specific health outcomes, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 aims to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels, relative health risks, and attributable burden of disease for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The GBD 2021 risk factor analysis used data from 54 561 total distinct sources to produce epidemiological estimates for 88 risk factors and their associated health outcomes for a total of 631 risk–outcome pairs. Pairs were included on the basis of data-driven determination of a risk–outcome association. Age-sex-location-year-specific estimates were generated at global, regional, and national levels. Our approach followed the comparative risk assessment framework predicated on a causal web of hierarchically organised, potentially combinative, modifiable risks. Relative risks (RRs) of a given outcome occurring as a function of risk factor exposure were estimated separately for each risk–outcome pair, and summary exposure values (SEVs), representing risk-weighted exposure prevalence, and theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMRELs) were estimated for each risk factor. These estimates were used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF; ie, the proportional change in health risk that would occur if exposure to a risk factor were reduced to the TMREL). The product of PAFs and disease burden associated with a given outcome, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), yielded measures of attributable burden (ie, the proportion of total disease burden attributable to a particular risk factor or combination of risk factors). Adjustments for mediation were applied to account for relationships involving risk factors that act indirectly on outcomes via intermediate risks. Attributable burden estimates were stratified by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile and presented as counts, age-standardised rates, and rankings. To complement estimates of RR and attributable burden, newly developed burden of proof risk function (BPRF) methods were applied to yield supplementary, conservative interpretations of risk–outcome associations based on the consistency of underlying evidence, accounting for unexplained heterogeneity between input data from different studies. Estimates reported represent the mean value across 500 draws from the estimate's distribution, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile values across the draws. Findings: Among the specific risk factors analysed for this study, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8·0% (95% UI 6·7–9·4) of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure (SBP; 7·8% [6·4–9·2]), smoking (5·7% [4·7–6·8]), low birthweight and short gestation (5·6% [4·8–6·3]), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5·4% [4·8–6·0]). For younger demographics (ie, those aged 0–4 years and 5–14 years), risks such as low birthweight and short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high SBP, high body-mass index (BMI), high FPG, and high LDL cholesterol had a greater impact. From 2000 to 2021, there was an observable shift in global health challenges, marked by a decline in the number of all-age DALYs broadly attributable to behavioural risks (decrease of 20·7% [13·9–27·7]) and environmental and occupational risks (decrease of 22·0% [15·5–28·8]), coupled with a 49·4% (42·3–56·9) increase in DALYs attributable to metabolic risks, all reflecting ageing populations and changing lifestyles on a global scale. Age-standardised global DALY rates attributable to high BMI and high FPG rose considerably (15·7% [9·9–21·7] for high BMI and 7·9% [3·3–12·9] for high FPG) over this period, with exposure to these risks increasing annually at rates of 1·8% (1·6–1·9) for high BMI and 1·3% (1·1–1·5) for high FPG. By contrast, the global risk-attributable burden and exposure to many other risk factors declined, notably for risks such as child growth failure and unsafe water source, with age-standardised attributable DALYs decreasing by 71·5% (64·4–78·8) for child growth failure and 66·3% (60·2–72·0) for unsafe water source. We separated risk factors into three groups according to trajectory over time: those with a decreasing attributable burden, due largely to declining risk exposure (eg, diet high in trans-fat and household air pollution) but also to proportionally smaller child and youth populations (eg, child and maternal malnutrition); those for which the burden increased moderately in spite of declining risk exposure, due largely to population ageing (eg, smoking); and those for which the burden increased considerably due to both increasing risk exposure and population ageing (eg, ambient particulate matter air pollution, high BMI, high FPG, and high SBP). Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global disease burden attributable to a range of risk factors, particularly those related to maternal and child health, WaSH, and household air pollution. Maintaining efforts to minimise the impact of these risk factors, especially in low SDI locations, is necessary to sustain progress. Successes in moderating the smoking-related burden by reducing risk exposure highlight the need to advance policies that reduce exposure to other leading risk factors such as ambient particulate matter air pollution and high SBP. Troubling increases in high FPG, high BMI, and other risk factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome indicate an urgent need to identify and implement interventions. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Metabolic fate of the glucose taken up by the intestine during induced hyperglycaemia in dogs

Summary: Available data showed that the intestine increases it glucose uptake in response to hyperglycemia induced by any cause. However, what the intestine does with the glucose is not known. This study investigated the metabolic fate of the glucose taken up by the intestine during hyperglycaemia in dogs. Experiments were carried out on fasted, male, anaesthetized mongrel dogs divided into 4 groups. The control (group 1, n=5) received normal saline (0.2 ml/kg) while groups 2-4 (subdivided into two as low or high dose, n=5 each) received adrenaline (1 μg/kg or 5 μg/kg), glucagon (3 ng/kg or 8 ng/kg) and glucose (10 mg/kg/min or 20 mg/kg/min). Through a midline laparatomy, the upper jejunum was cannulated for Intestinal Blood Flow (IBF) measurement. Blood glucose and lactate levels were determined using glucose oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase methods, respectively. Intestinal Glucose/Lactate Uptake (IGU/ILU) was calculated as the product of IBF and arterio-venous glucose /lactate difference [(A-V) glucose/lactate]. Jejunal tissue samples were obtained for the determination of Glycogen Content (GC) and activities of Glycogen Synthase (GS), Glycogen Phosphorylase ‘a’ (GPa), hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. Anthrone method was used to determine GC while activities of GS, GPa, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase were determined spectrophotometrically. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analyzed using student’s t-test and ANOVA at α0.05. Arterial and venous blood glucose and lactate were increased by adrenaline, glucagon and glucose. Venous lactate was higher than arterial lactate in all groups. Intestinal blood flow, (A-V) glucose and (A-V) lactate were increased in all the experimental groups. Intestinal glucose uptake increased by 624% (adrenaline), 705% (glucagon) and 589% (glucose) while intestinal lactate release increased by 422%, 459% and 272% respectively. Intestinal GC increased from 138.72 ± 4.58 mg/100 g to 167.17 ± 4.20 mg/100 g (adrenaline), 229.21 ± 6.25 mg/100 g (glucagon) and 165.17 ± 4.20 mg/100 g (glucose). Adrenaline and glucose had no effect on GS activity but it was increased by glucagon; GPa was decreased while hexokinase activity was increased by adrenaline, glucagon, and glucose. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was not affected by adrenaline and glucagon but decreased by glucose. The intestine modulates blood glucose levels through lactate formation, glycogen formation and most probably conversion of lactate to glucose through gluconeogenesis.Keywords: Glucose uptake, Lactate uptake, Glycogen, Dog

Gastro-protective effect of methanol extract of Ficus asperifolia bark on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

The gastro-protective and antioxidant effects of methanol extract of Ficus asperifolia bark on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer were investigated in male rats. Thirty two male rats divided into 4 equal groups and were treated as follows: group1 (control), 0.5ml of 5% tween 80 (vehicle for the extract), groups 2 and 3, 100 and 500mg/kg of Ficus asperifolia extract respectively and group 4, cimetidine (100mg/kg). After two weeks of daily oral administration of vehicle, extract or cimetidine, gastric ulcer was induced in all rats with indomethacin (40 mg/kg, p.o). Gastric juice pH, gastric acid concentration, gastric ulcer score, percentage gastric ulcer inhibition, activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and malondiadehyde (MDA) were determined. Ficus asperifolia extract significantly increased gastric pH (p<0.05) but decreased (p<0.01) gastric acid secretion in dose dependent manner when compared with the control. Inhibition of gastric ulcer in extract and cimetidine treated rats was similar. Activities of SOD and catalase were significantly increased (p<0.05) while MDA was significantly decreased (p< 0.05) in extract treated rats when compared with the control. The results suggest that Ficus asperifolia possesses gastro-protective and antioxidant properties against gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin

Investigation of gamma radiation shielding capability of two clay materials

The gamma radiation shielding capability (GRSC) of two clay-materials (Ball clay and Kaolin)of Southwestern Nigeria (7.49°N, 4.55°E) have been investigated by determine theoretically and experimentally the mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ (cm2g−1) of the clay materials at photon energies of 609.31, 1120.29, 1173.20, 1238.11, 1332.50 and 1764.49 keV emitted from 214Bi ore and 60Co point source. The mass attenuation coefficients were theoretically evaluated using the elemental compositions of the clay-materials obtained by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) elemental analysis technique as input data for WinXCom software. While gamma ray transmission experiment using Hyper Pure Germanium (HPGe) spectrometer detector to experimentally determine the mass attenuation coefficients, μ/ρ (cm2g−1) of the samples. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations of WinXCom software. Linear attenuation coefficient (μ), half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) were also evaluated using the obtained μ/ρ values for the investigated samples. The GRSC of the selected clay-materials have been compared with other studied shielding materials. The cognizance of various factors such as availability, thermo-chemical stability and water retaining ability by the clay-samples can be analyzed for efficacy of the material for their GRSC. Keywords: Clay materials, WinXCom, Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), Gamma radiation shielding capability (GRSC