Plasma Concentration of Ascorbic Acid and Some Hematological Parameters in Tobacco Snuffers Among the Igbos of Southeastern Nigeria

Tobacco snuffing; like cigarette smoking; is known to be a common habit among the adults of Igbo communities in Nigeria. In view of the various pharmacological actions of nicotine and other additive constituents of tobacco snuff; there is growing concern that ascorbic acid; which is a vital antioxidant; and blood cell production or morphology may be affected. Objective: To investigate the possible effects of prolonged use of tobacco snuff on plasma ascorbic acid concentrations and some hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: Fifty adults of Igbo extraction (35 males and 15 females) residents in and around Enugu metropolis; who have been snuffing tobacco for 6 years and above; were recruited for the study; after they gave informed consent. Also; 50 apparently healthy; age-matched persons (25 males; 25 females); who do not smoke or take tobacco snuff; served as controls. Spectrophotometric method was adopted for ascorbic acid determination while hematological profiles were assessed by Bain method. Results: The results showed no significant difference in the measured parameters relative to the controls AA (P=0.08); Hb (P=0.19); PCV (P=0.10); RC (P=0.06); PC (P=0.20); WBC (P=0.09). Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that tobacco snuff inhalation may not adversely affect plasma ascorbic acid concentration and hematological parameters in adult humans. The study; however; has not concluded that tobacco snuffing is totally wholesome

Comparison of the Effect of Glutamate; Oxyferriscorbone and Deprenyl on Parkinsonian Syndrome

Background: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) show a dramatic increase in their brain iron content has suggested the role of iron in degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in PD. Several studies have described the association of high dietary iron and PD. However; the role of iron the pathogenesis of PD is still hotly debated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of L-glutamate; oxyferriscorbone (OFC) and L-Deprenyl on parkinsonian syndrome (PS) in rats. Methods: This study was performed on 244 male non-strain rats (250-270g;-10 wk old). By intranigral bilateral administration of 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) (10?g/2?/l into each side) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) (12?g/3?l; Sigma; into each side ) in rats was induced the dopamine deficient model of PS (DDPS) and the cholinergic model (ChPS) in rats produced by intracaudate injection of acetylcholine (5?g/2?l each side ) with neostigmine (1?g/1?l each side). These models were then used to investigate the effects of L-glutamate; OFC and L-Deprenyl on PS and the electric activity (EA) of the sensorimotor cortex; caudate nuclei; ventrolateral nuclei of the thalami; and substantia nigra in rats. Results: Intracaudate injection of L-glutamate (100?g/3?l; into each side) enhanced bradykinesia; rigidity and produced a weak tremor in the DDPS. This effect was more pronounced in ageing (12 months) rats and in some of them; we observed orofacial dyskinesia. In the ChPS; L-glutamate enhanced tremor and bradykinesia. The single and repeated injection of OFC (5; 7; 5; 15 and 20 mg/rat; intraperitioneally; i.p.) did not produce a statistically significant change of PS in both models. L-deprenyl (5; 10 and 20 mg/kg; i.p.) dose-dependently reduced bradykinesia and rigidity in the DDPS; whereas increased tremor and failed to decrease bradykinesia and rigidity in the ChPS. Conclusion: This study indicates that glutamate aggravates PS in both models. OFC does not have any effect on PS. Deprenyl has antiparkinsonian effect in the DDPS; but not in the ChPS