Ameliorative Effects of the Methanolic Extract of the Rind of Citrullus lanatus on Lead Acetate Induced Toxicity on Semen Parameters and Reproductive Hormones of Male Albino Wistar Rats.

Aims: The present study investigated the effects of the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus on lead acetate induced toxicity on semen parameters, reproductive hormone assay and testicular histology in male albino Wistar rats. Study Design: Controlled experimental study using randomly assigned laboratory animals. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Department of Physiology, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, Nigeria between January 2013 and February 2014. Methodology: Twenty male rats were assigned into four groups: Group A to D of five rats each. Group A served as control and received 2ml/kg bw of 10% extract vehicle; Group B received 200mg/kg bw of the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus; Group C received 2.25mg/kg bw of lead acetate; and Group Dwere co-administered with 2.25 mg/kg bw lead acetate and 200 mg/kg bw of the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus. The drugs and extracts were administered orally to the rats for 35days. On day 36, blood samples were collected from anaesthetized rats by cardiac puncture for reproductive hormone assay and the testes harvested for determination of semen parameters and histological studies. Semen parameters: count, motility, viability, and morphology were determined and assay for plasma levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and testosterone done. Results: Results obtained showed that, compared to control rats, administration of the methanolic extract of the rind Citrullus lanatus significantly enhanced sperm count and all reproductive hormone levels (P<0.05); and also caused non-significant increases in sperm motility, percentage of spermatocytes with normal morphology and percentage of live spermatocytes, but decreased percentage of dead spermatocytes (P>0.05). Treatment with lead acetate caused a significant reduction in levels of all reproductive hormones and significant diminution of sperm motility, morphology, viability; with increases in percentage of dead spermatocytes (P<0.05). Expectedly, co-administration of the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus with lead acetate ameliorated the deleterious effects of lead acetate resulting in significant increases in sperm count and all reproductive hormones (P<0.05) and non-significant increases in motility, morphology and live spermatocytes (P>0.05): however, the percentage of spermatocytes with abnormal heads were significantly increased. The results suggest that the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus exerts a possible ameliorative effect on lead acetate induced toxicity on some reproductive parameters in male albino Wistar rats. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the methanolic extract of the rind of Citrullus lanatus exerts a possible beneficial effect on male reproductive parameters in albino Wistar rats and validates anecdotal reports of the beneficial effect of watermelon consumption from our environment. We however, recommend further studies in this regard.

Changes in Total and Differential white Cell Counts; Total Lymphocyte and CD4 Cell Counts during the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Female Undergraduate Students in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Published reports on the possible changes in the various immune cell populations; especially the total lymphocyte and CD4 cell counts; during the menstrual cycle in Nigerian female subjects are relatively scarce. Aim: To determine possible changes in the total and differential white blood cell [WBC] counts; total lymphocyte count [TLC] and CD4 cell count during the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy reproductive aged female undergraduate students in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: A total of 61 apparently healthy HIV sero-negative female undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt; Nigeria aged between 17 and 30 years; were recruited into the study. Subjects were allowed their normal daily routines but restricted from excessive physical activities for the duration of the study. After a menstrual history; blood was collected from each subject at the different phases of the menstrual cycle: menstrual; follicular; ovulatory and luteal. Total WBC and differential counts were determined manually; TLC was obtained by multiplying the percentage lymphocytes by the total WBC count; CD4 cell counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Single factor analysis of variance showed significant differences only in the values of total WBC; and differential neutrophils; lymphocytes; and eosinophil counts [p0.05]; no significant differences were observed in the values of monocytes; basophils; TLC and CD4 cell count during the phases of the menstrual cycle.Conclusion: The present study confirms previous reports of significant physiological variations in the leukocyte counts during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle. However; our results suggest that apparently TLC and CD4 cell count do not undergo a similar physiological variation

The prevalence of obesity as indicated by BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending family medicine clinics as outpatients in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study's aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. Methods: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6. 04d). Results: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2). Obesity as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2) is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged

Haemorheological parameters of umbilical cord blood of Nigerian newborns: correlation with maternal parameters

Background: Published reports of haemorheological values of umbilical cord blood in Nigerian newborns are relatively scanty. The present study therefore aimed to determine the values of some basic haemorheological parameters in the umbilical cord blood of Nigerian neonates and in the venous blood of their respective mothers. The study also aimed to determine if any significant differences or correlations exist in these haemorheological parameters between maternal and umbilical cord blood. Design: Cross sectional prospective study involving 60 subjects consisting of 30 newborn neonates and their respective mothers. Methods: The values of haematocrit; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; white blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity; relative plasma viscosity; fibrinogen concentration; mean corpuscular volume; mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined in the umbilical cord blood of Nigeria neonates and in the respective mothers at the time of birth. Results: Significantly higher values of haematocrit; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity and significantly lower values of erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found in umbilical cord blood compared to maternal blood (p0.05). Significant positive correlations were found only in the values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); haemoglobin concentration; white blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p0.05). Both mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration showed a negative but non-significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p0.05). Conclusion: The present study reports values of basic haemorheological parameters in maternal and umbilical cord blood of newborn Nigerian neonates and reports significant differences and correlations in these parameters between the two groups. This we hope would provide information on umbilical cord haemorheology for Nigerian neonatologist since up to the present time similar studies have been scanty

Haematological reference values for healthy adults in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Published reports of the basic haematological parameters of apparently healthy subjects in Port Harcourt; Nigeria are relatively scanty. This has resulted in an apparent unavailability of laboratory reference values for haematological parameters for the population. Aim: To determine the reference values of some basic haematological parameters in apparently healthy adult subjects in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and fifty apparently healthy adults consisting of 150 males and 100 females; aged between 15 and 55 years; residing in Port Harcourt were randomly selected via a cross sectional prospective study. The following haematological parameters were determined by the indicated methods: haematocrit (Hct) was determined using Hawksley micro-capillary centrifugation; haemoglobin concentration (Hbc) was determined using the cyanmethaemoglobin method; red blood cell count and white blood cell count were both determined manually using the improved Neubauer counting chamber; mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated from the appropriate haematological parameters; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined using the Westergren method. Results: The reference values; modes and ranges of all haematological parameters determined are presented. The mean values of haematocrit; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; white blood cell count; mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were found to be significantly higher in male subjects; while the mean values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and ESR were found to be significantly higher in female subjects (p 0.05). Conclusion: The present study reports reference values of basic haematological parameters for healthy adult residents of Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Significant gender variations possibly exist in the basic haematological parameters of the population under investigation

Atlanto-occipital gap in Nigerians: Its relationship to difficult intubation

Background: Half of persons living with HIV/AIDS are below 25 years and majority of the remaining are believed to have been infected in their youth. The impact of HIV on young people has continued to generate increasing global medical; social; economic; political and academic interests. Aim: This paper reviews the pattern of existing documentation on HIV/AIDS regarding young people in Nigeria in presentations on this subject at international meetings and conferences. Methods: The review relied on a bibliography of 364 presentations from 17 books of abstracts and several solicited submissions; spanning 18 years; collated; indexed and published by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and the National Action Committee on AIDS. A matrix was constructed to categorize and tally the abstracts by several technical themes against the characteristics of the young people; aged 10 to 24 years that they reported on. Results: Eighty-five (23.5) out of the 364 were articles on adolescent/youths; the 18-year period; giving a rate of 4.7 articles per year. Regarding the context; 67 (78.8) concerned adolescents/ youths of both sexes. About half (47 or 55.3) were conducted among schooling adolescents/youths; and 23 (27.1) involved out-of-school youths. Twenty-three (27.1) titles were socio-medical research exploring knowledge; attitude; behaviour and practice; while three (3.5) were studies of biomedical nature; involving serologic investigations. Reports of interventions accounted for over half (47 or 55.3) of the presentations; most of which were on HIV awareness and prevention programmes. Conclusion: A low rate of reports on HIV/AIDS specific to young people at international conferences was observed; which does not reflect the level of importance and impact of the infection on this group of individuals. Amongst them; socio-medical studies; and interventions featuring awareness and prevention among schooling youths predominate. Interventions involving testing; treatment and care; and bio-medical studies especially involving vulnerable non-schooling youths; remain a challenge that must be faced