ABSTRACT
Aims: We studied some blood cell changes and alterations in renal and hepatic functions in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia and determined baselines for the population in owerri, south east Nigeria. Study Design: It was a cross sectional case control study conducted prospectively among antenatal women attending clinic at Holy Rosary, Federal Medical Centre and General Hospitals Owerri. The study included fifty non-pregnant, fifty pre-elampsia and fifty normotensive pregnant women of singleton gestation in their third trimester Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Antenatal unit of Holy Rosary, Federal Medical Centre and General Hospitals Owerri between May 2009 and June 2010. Methodology: The study included fifty (50) non-pregnant women, fifty (50) pregnant normotensive women and fifty (50) pre-eclamptic women of singleton gestation in their third trimester. Full blood count, liver function enzymes assay and some kidney function parameters was determined in all subjects. The subjects were selected under defined criteria. PE patients were at 28 to 42 wks of single-diastolic pressure of 110mmHg or more or two measurements of 90mmHg or more on two consecutive occasions of 6hours or more apart, urinary protein 2+ or more. The exclusion criteria include history of hypertension and proteinuria before conception or before 20wks of gestation, a history of antioxidant vitamins therapy during the last one year and smoking. Results: The result showed a significant (P = 0.05) decrease in Red cell distribution width coefficient of variance (RDW-CV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), platelet count (PC) and mean platelet volume- platelet count (MPV-PC) ratio in pre-eclampsia comaperd to normal pregnancy. Significant increases (P= 0.05) in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width (PDW) and circulating large platelet ratio (PLCR) were found among the pre-eclamptic women. There was a significant (P = 0.05) increase in ALT, AST, ALP and LDH activities in pre-eclampsia when compared to both the normal and the pregnant controls. Urea, Creatinine and Uric acid concentrations had a significant increase (P = 0.05) in pre-eclampsia when compared to normal and pregnant controls Conclusion: The significant variation seen in these red cell parameters between the PC and NPC is attributable mainly to pregnancy than to pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia though resulted in a marked platelet usage with a resulting shorter platelet life-span. A burden on the liver and kidney resulting from pre-eclampsia could have adversely affected protein metabolism which in turn may have affected erythropoesis. Results indicate that renal function is impaired in the presence of pre-eclampsia.
ABSTRACT
Honey is a naturally sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of flowers. Proline, free amino acid, tannins, phenols and flavonoids content were determined in eight samples of Obudu cattle ranch honeys. Antioxidant content (ascorbic acid equivalent, quercetin equivalents, tocopherol content) and free radical scavenging activity of Obudu ranch honeys were determined by standard methods. The relationship existing between proline and antioxidant content with free radical scavenging activity was assessed by mathematical modelling using Levenberg Marquardt algorithm. Results of our study showed that Obudu ranch honey was of high quality having comparable total free amino acid, proline, phytochemical and antioxidant content with good quality honeys found elsewhere. α-Tocopherol content was 16.50 ± 1.40 μg/100 g, quercetin equivalent antioxidant content (QEAC) was 9.43 ± 0.9 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC) was 18.56 ± 1.78 mg/100 g, while the mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the honey samples against the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (RSA: IC50) was evaluated to be 12.74 ± 0.71mg/ml. Proline content, AEAC, QEAC and α-tocopherol were logistically related (r2 = 0.726, 0.971, 0.960 and 0.888 respectively) to the radical scavenging activity. The results obtained from the present study showed that Obudu ranch honeys were of high quality and possessed antioxidant and free radical scavenging property. Since proline content of the tested honey samples were comparable to proline content of unadulterated honey samples elsewhere, the commercial samples may not be adulterated Results showed that traditional usage of the honey for various medicinal usages may be related to its chemical content and radical scavenging property.
ABSTRACT
Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) in Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus isolated from degenerated wound, Gram-negative Salmonella typhi isolated from stool, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli from a high vaginal swab were assayed. Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity of the test organisms by ethanol extract of Euphorbia hyssopifolia, and Euphorbia hirta, were determined and compared to standard antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin). The total dehydrogenase assay was done using 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) as the artificial electron acceptor which was reduced to the red-coloured triphenyl-formazan (TPF). Response of the bacterial isolates varied with extract concentration. Dehydrogenase activity was progressively inhibited in a logistic dose-response fashion in the test organism by the extracts and standard drugs. All extract and standards achieved at least 70% inhibition within the tested doses (0-2000µg/ml), except for Euphorbia hirta against Staphylococcus aureus. Threshold inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for Euphorbia hyssopifolia against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli were 59.92µg/ml, 234.90µg/ml, and 492.46µg/ml respectively, while for Euphorbia hirta IC50 against Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli was 99.67µg/ml,and 165.90µg/ml with no significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity in the test organism by the extract compared well with the standard antibiotics. Euphorbia hyssopifolia was effective against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus implicated in delayed wound healing than Gram-negative Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli implicated in typhoid fever and urinary tract infections respectively, while Euphorbia hirta was effective against Gram-negative organisms implicated in typhoid fever and urinary tract infections, but not effective against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Secondary plant metabolites found in the extracts may be acting in synergy to bring about their pharmacologic functions and may explain reasons for ethno-medical usage.