Effects of marijuana and caffeine consumption on the activities of brain acetylcholinesterase and serum alkaline phosphatase in rats

No Abstrac

Defatted Soy Flour Supplementation of Wheat Bread ameliorates Blood Chemistry and Oxidative Stress in Wistar rats

Background: Bread is a convenience food made from wheat flour, which is derived from wheat and whose technology of which dates back to the ancient Egyptians. It is therefore of economic advantage if wheat importation to Nigeria can be reduced by substitution with other suitable materials. This led to the whole idea of composite flour, which is a mixture of wheat with other materials to form suitable flour for baking purposes.Objectives: The study is to ascertain the effect of supplementation of bread with defatted soy flour on blood chemistry and oxidative stress in Wistar rats.Methods: Wheat flour mixed with high quality defatted Soy flour at several ratios: 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40. The 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40 flour mixtures were used to prepare 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% Soya bread, respectively. The control bread (100%) was prepared with 100% wheat flour. Bread produced with these blends compared with regular 100% wheat bread and was tested for chemical and organoleptic characteristics. Sixteen rats were randomly given codes and allocated to 2 different groups via tables with random numbers to feed on the 100% wheat blend and soy supplemented bread (90% wheat flour/10% soy flour) for 28 days. The weights and feed intake of the rats were computed on daily basis. Blood was taken for biochemical assays and liver was used for antioxidant assay, that is activities of catalase, super oxider dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathine level.Results: The activities of serum SOD and catalase were significantly increase (p<0.05) in rats fed the composite bread as compared to the control (wheat bread) and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde level) relative to control group. The activities of the liver enzymes (alanine amino transferase, aspartase amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase) and markers (low density lipoprotein, cholesterol and triacyl glycerol levels) showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in rats fed supplemented soy flour bread as compared to the control. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total bilirubin, creatinine and urea levels as well as total protein and albumin levels of rats as compared to control.Conclusion: These findings establish the nutritional and health promoting benefits of soy supplemented bread.Key Words: Defatted Soy Flour, wheat bread, blood chemistry, oxidative stress, rat

Phytochemical Screening and Quantification of Flavonoids from Leaf Extract of Jatropha Curcas Linn

Background: . The Jatropha curcas L.(Euphorbiaceae) herb is found in SouthWest, Nigeria and other parts of West Africa, and is claimed to possess anti-hypertensive property. Objective: The phytochemical screening and flavonoid quantification of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas Linn were studied. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaf extract of J. curcas L. was carried using acceptable and standard methods. The flavonoid contents of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. were determined using thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of the leaves of the plant shows the presence of  alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, phlobatannins, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. To quantify the flavonoid contents of leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L , extracts from the plant samples where examined in a C-18 column with UV detection and isocratic elution with acetonitrile; water (45:55). Levels of flavonoids (flavones) in leaves ranged from 6:90 to 8:85 mg / g dry weight. Conclusion : Results indicate that the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas L. contains useful active ingredients which may serve as potential drug for the treatment of diseases. In addition, a combination of TLC, IRS and HPLC can be used to analyse and quantify the flavonoids present in the leaves of Jatropha curcas L.Keywords: Jatropha curcas Linn, methanolic leaf extract, active ingredients, flavonoid content

Blood Chemistry, Hematology and Tryptophan Level in Cerebral Malaria Children

Background: Cerebral malaria is a deadly complication of P. falciparum infection, yet its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.Objective: The blood chemistry, hematology, protein and tryptophan levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cerebral malaria children were investigated. Methods: Fifteen children (2.44 ± 0.25yr) diagnosed withcerebral malaria were used for this study. The control subjects consist of healthy and malaria-free children (2.50 ± 0.16yr). Two ml of blood were collected from each child between 0830h and 0930h. Blood chemistry and hematological parameters were analyzed using 2ml each of Synchron CX5 auto-analyzer. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from the children using the lumbar puncture method, by inserting a sterile needle between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae collected into sterile tubes. The CSF tryptophan, plasma and CSF protein concentrations and CSF protein concentration were determined.Results: There were no significant (p>0.01) differences in the plasma protein, glucose and CSF glucose levels of the cerebral malaria children as compared with the control. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the cerebral malaria children hemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly (

Nutrition knowledge, attitude, practice and assessment of nutritional status of tuberculosis patients attending selected DOTS clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Nutritional status of tuberculosis (TB) patients largely influences treatment outcomes, thereby determining the success of tuberculosis control programmes.Objective: The study is to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice and the nutritional status of TB patients attending selected DOTS clinics in Lagos State, South - west, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 diagnosed TB patients attending DOTS clinics in some state hospitals (secondary facilities) in Lagos State, using a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Heamoglobin (Hb) and albumin levels were determined in about a quarter of the respondents. The data obtained from the questionnaire survey was analyzed using the Epi-info software version 3.5.1.Results: Findings revealed that only one quarter (25%) of the respondents had good knowledge of nutrition, approximately 9 out of 10 (86.8%) of them had positive attitude towards proper nutrition and almost three quarters (71.8%) had good nutrition practices. Using the Body Mass Index (BMI), about one third (35%) of the respondents were undernourished with 47.1%, 27.1% and 25.7% of the under nourished TB patients having mild, moderate and severe under nutrition respectively.Out of the quarter (100) respondents who had biochemical nutrition assessment, 43% were anaemic (Hb<12g/dl) and only 22% had hypoalbuminaemia. Explored factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practice of nutrition were: educational level of respondents which significantly (p=0.0006) influenced their knowledge of nutrition, attitude to nutrition was significantly influenced by employment status (p=0.004), household size (p=0.000) and knowledge (p=0.032). Nutritional practices were influenced by  educational level (p=0.04), household size (p=0.043) and attitude (p=0.021) to nutrition.Conclusion: To effectively improve treatment outcomes of TB patients and reduce the burden of the disease, it is important to improve patients' knowledge, attitude and practice of good nutrition through nutrition education during therapy, provision of high nutrient supplements, ensuring regular availability of anti-TB drugs and compliance with treatment.Keywords: Tuberculosis, Nutritional assessment, Knowledge, Attitude and Practic

Sensory and Shelf-life evaluation of a Food Multi-Mix formulated for rural children in South Africa

Food multi-mix (FMM) assists in providing ingredients balance from each food group within the formulation and to ensure maximum nutritional value.The objective of the study is to evaluate the sensory and shelf life of a food multi-mix formulated for rural children in South Africa.. The food multi-mix was formulated in conformity with the nutritional requirements of children .The multi-mix ingredients consisted of maize ,which is a common staple in South Africa , spinach, sugar beans, carrots, pilchards in tomato sauce ,as an inexpensive source of protein and oil. The ingredients were dried , pasteurized and cooled at room temperature, 25°C . The FMM was ground into powder and immediately vacuum –sealed. The final recipes were standardized with 100g of multi-mix . They included peanut-butter biscuit , sweet muffin and savoury muffin.The inclusion of these ingredients improved the nutritional value and boosted energy density. The sensory evaluation of the FMM by the rural children was carried out using three attributes ; appearance , taste and smell , and a four –face hedonic scale representing very good , good , bad and very bad. The shelf-life of the FMM at room temperature , 25°C , for a period of 28 days was determined . 10g of FMM was aseptically used and homogenized with 90ml of diluent ( buffered peptone water ) . Total aerobic plate counts on tryptone soy agar incubated at 25°C for 3h, were analyzed .Coliform and E.coli counts on a violet red bile 4-methyl umberlifery –beta-D-glucuronide agar and incubated at 37°C for 2h , were determined. The presence of B.cereus and B. aureus were determined on the 1st day of the shelf life test. Results of the sensory evaluation by the rural children showed that 83.9 % of them preferred peanut butter and muffin , rated 73.1% for savoury muffin , and 94.5 % for the sweet muffin.The children had preference for sweet snack items.The total aerobic plate count in the FMM tested over a period of 28 days were below log 4/ g .Coliform and E .coli counts remained below 10 cfu / g throughout the shelf –life evaluation , while B.cereus and S . aureus were not detected. The presence of microbes detected in the FMM were less than 10 ,which indicated that the FMM is safe for human consumption when stored at room temperature for 28 days Data of the sensory and shelf evaluation of the formulated and prepared food multi-mix indicate that it is acceptable ,safe , suitable and may improve the nutritional intake of children

Ethanol stem bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria ameliorates MPTP-induced Parkinson's Disease in Sprague- Dawley Rats

Background: Dopamine depletion, hypolipidemia and oxidative stress have been implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD).Objective: The present study is to determine the effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria stem bark extract on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) -induced Parkinson's disease in Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: The Parkinson's disease was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MPTP. After 72h of induction, the young adult male rats were treated with oral administration of stem bark ethanol extract of the plant daily for 2 weeks. The blood chemistry, antioxidant markers and brain dopamine levels were assayed.Results: There were significant (p<0.01) increases in the brain dopamine levels, antioxidant and blood chemistry markers of rats administered the R. vomitoria stem bark extract. However, these varied significantly when compared to the standard drug (levodopa/cabidopa 6mg/kg). The ethanol stem bark extract of R. vomitoria increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and catalase. Brain dopamine level and lipid profiles in the rats were also increased.Conclusion: Data of the study indicated that the ethanol stem bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria may be useful in the management of Parkinson's disease.Keywords: Rauwolfia vomitoria, MPTP, Parkinson's disease, antioxidant enzymes, dopamin

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, NIGERIA

Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge and practice of emergency contraception among female undergraduates in University of Lagos and to determine the factors that influence knowledge and practice of emergency contraception among female undergraduates.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: The University of Lagos, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria between August 2003 and March 2004.Subjects: Four hundred and eighty randomly selected female undergraduate students.Results: The findings revealed that 67.8% of the respondents reported knowing about emergency contraception. More than half (56.1%) were sexually active and of this group, 96.8% had ever practiced contraception with only 33.9% having ever practiced emergency contraception. However, only 37.8% and 36.3% of respondents who had reported knowing about emergency contraception knew the correct time frame for effective use, and correctly identified emergency contraceptives respectively. Among those who were aware of, and had used emergency contraception, 34.1% obtained their information from health care providers, while the larger majority obtained from friends. Knowledge and practice of emergency contraception was found to be directly related to age, level of study, medical education, marital status, sexual activity, previous history of use of contraceptives and previous history of induced abortion.Conclusion: Education efforts that focus on the training of health care providers and young adults on emergency contraception with regards to available methods and correct timing of use would greatly improve women’s access to and effective use of this method in Nigeria

Catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in alloxan – induced diabetes mellitus in female and male rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder ofcarbohydrate metabolism and is associated with oxidativereactions.Objective: The present study is to determine the activities ofcatalase, lipid peroxidation, glucose, protein, cholesteroland triglyceride concentrations in the liver and kidney inalloxan-induced diabetes in female and male rats. Inaddition, the study is to ascertain if gender differences affectoxidative stress in diabetes.Methods : Forty male (165±8.46g) and female(162.7±7.94g) albino Sprague Dawley rats were used for thestudy. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with a singledose of 150mg/body weight of alloxan monohydrate, toinduce diabetes for 14 days. The rats were divided into fourgroups, consisting of 10 diabetic male, 10 non-diabeticmale, 10 diabetic female and 10 non-diabetic female. Therats were fed rat chow and water ad libitum for 14 days andthen sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was taken by cardiacpuncture, while liver and kidney were quickly excised. Thecatalase activity, lipid peroxidation, glucose, protein,cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the liver andkidney of rats were determined.Results: Rats administered alloxan monohydrate hadelevated plasma glucose levels. The body weights ofdiabetic female and male rats were significantly reducedcompared to the non-diabetic rats. The catalase activities inliver and kidney of diabetic male or female rats weresignificantly lower than in non-diabetic rats but the reductionwas more pronounced in diabetic female rats. The liver lipidperoxidation, cholesterol and triglyceride levels weresignificantly higher in the diabetic male or female than in thenon-diabetic rats, but with no significant differences in thediabetic female or male rats.Conclusion: Data of the study indicate that sex differencesdo not significantly affect oxidative stress in alloxan-induceddiabetes mellitus

Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Momordica charantia on intestinal enzyme activities in dairrhoeagenic mice.

No Abstrac