Biochemical Assessment of Pregnancy-Related Physiological Changes in Renal Function

This study was aimed at determining biochemical markers of renal function in pregnant women in Kano State, Nigeria. Urea, electrolytes and creatinine were estimated from 45 pregnant women and 45 non pregnant apparently healthy, age-matched controls.  The result of the study showed significant difference (P<0.01) in urea, creatinine and bicarbonate levels between the pregnant and non- pregnant women but no significant difference (p>0.01) was observed in sodium, potassium and chloride levels between the two groups. Studies within the trimesters showed significant difference (p<0.05) in urea levels between the control group of the 1st and 2nd trimesters. Creatinine levels in the 2nd trimester (43.20±12.3) and 3rd trimester (41.40±5.45) were found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the control group (55.84±16.17). A significant difference in creatinine levels (p<0.05) between the 1st and 2nd and the 1st and 3rd trimesters was also recorded. The mean difference in bicarbonate levels in the 1st (22.33±1.84), 2nd (21.80±1.37) and 3rd(21.73±1.79) trimesters and the -control group (26.09±2.08) was significantly lower (p<0.05) with no significant difference within the trimesters. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) observed in sodium, potassium and chloride level between the control groups and the trimesters of pregnancy. The result obtained is indicative of normal renal function in the study groups

Nutrigenomic Effects of White Rice and Brown Rice on the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Disorders in a Fruit Fly Model

Consumption of white rice (WR) has been shown to predispose individuals to metabolic disorders. However, brown rice (BR), which is relatively richer in bioactive compounds, possesses anti-glycaemic and antioxidant effects. In this study, fifteen cultivars of paddy rice that are predominantly consumed in North West Nigeria were analysed for their nutritional composition, bioactive contents and effects on metabolic outcomes in a fruit fly model. Gene expression analyses were conducted on the whole fly, targeting dPEPCK, dIRS, and dACC. The protein, carbohydrate, and fibre contents and bioactives of all BR cultivars were significantly different (p p p dACC and dPEPCK was upregulated, while that of dIRS was downregulated in the WR groups compared to the BR groups. Sex differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the WR groups in relation to the nutrigenomic effects. Our findings confirm metabolic perturbations in fruit flies following consumption of WR via distortion of insulin signalling and activation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. BR prevented these metabolic changes possibly due to its richer nutritional composition