ABSTRACT
Background: The relationship between iron, hypoxia, inflammation, and erythropoietin in cellular homeostasis is well documented. Patients on radiotherapy are known with active immune/inflammatory disorders often accompanied with reduced iron uptake or unavailability of circulatory iron and hence, must be adequately evaluated. The present study hypothesized “aqueous extracts of Camellia sinensis, Telfairia occidentalis and Parquetina nigrescens have chemical properties of ameliorating and restoring to normal, functional iron deficiency sequel to Cobalt 60 irradiation effect”. Materials and Methods: Fifty-Five young male guinea-pigs approximately 450 gram in weight were recruited and thirty were randomly assigned to 3 groups (A, B and C) for the study. Groups A and B were further divided into 4 (A1-4 and B1-4) with 3 animals (n=3) per group. Three guinea-pigs were also assigned to group C. Groups A and B belonged to Pre and post-irradiation groups while groups C served as control. Each animal was given 400r (4.0 Gy) whole-body gamma-irradiation under general anaesthesia, using a Co60 therapy unit as a source. Groups A1, A2, A3 and A4 had 1,400 mg/kg C. sinensis, 4000 mg/kg P. nigrescens, 3,500 mg/kg T. occidentalis and Combined dose (1,400 mg/kg C. sinensis + 400 mg/kg P. nigrescens + 3,500 mg/kg T. occidentalis) respectively twice daily 72 hours prior to irradiation and continued throughout the 14 days of the study. Groups B1, B2, B3 and B4 had similar treatment but commenced 24 hours after exposure to radiation and likewise continued throughout the 14 days of the study. Group C were not given any treatment but also had irradiation. Results: Total Iron Binding Capacity, Ferritin, Serum Transferrin receptor and Iron were all increased significantly for all the extracts pre and post irradiation. However, C-reactive protein decreased significantly. Conclusion: Aqueous extracts of Camellia sinensis, Parquetina nigrescens and Telfairia occidentalis leaves have good ameliorating effect on irradiation-induced injuries.
ABSTRACT
Background /Aims: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer and simple goiter among other diseases however; there has not been a direct comparison of the severity of the stress factor in these two conditions in relation to their dietary pattern in our environment. Objective: This study assessed oxidative stress indices, antioxidant status and dietary pattern in thyroid cancer and simple goiter compared with the controls. Study Design: This is a case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: Study groups were recruited from the Departments of Surgery and Nuclear medicine of University of Ilorin teaching hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State respectively between March 2013 and September 2013. Materials and Methodology: A total number of one hundred and five (105) age matched participants consisting of 88 females and 17 males were recruited for this study. They were divided into 3 groups; Group one 35 participants with thyroid cancer and group two, 35 participants with simple goiter and group three, 35 control participants. Plasma levels malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total plasma peroxide (TPP) were determined by colorimetric methods. Antioxidant status was determined by measuring total antioxidant potential (TAP), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) by colorimetric methods. Selenium (Se) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).Oxidative stress index (OSI) was measured and all values expressed as mean ± SD, while frequency of intake of various dietary sources of the participants were collated. Results: TAP, SOD, GPx, GSH and GST (antioxidants) levels in group 1 (552.17±74.67; 1.30±0.32; 1.91±0.23; 4.47±0.59; 0.92±0.25; 1.28±0.04 respectively) were significantly lower than group 3 (933.51±80.15; 2.85±0.39; 5.40±0.76; 8.34±1.12; 2.11±0.31). While the mean plasma levels of antioxidants in group 2 (704.74±62.22; 2.01±0.27; 4.62±0.89; 6.19± 0.56; 1.47± 0.14 and 1.40±0.04) were significantly higher than that of group 1. However, significant increase was observed in mean levels of oxidative stress markers; TPP, MDA, H2O2 and OSI, in group 1 (16.24±2.52, 13.88±2.95, 13.52±6.91 and 2.93±1.40 respectively) compared to group 3 (4.57±1.32, 3.22±1.20, 3.01±0.86 and 0.48±0.14). Oxidative stress markers in group 2 (9.79±1.40, 5.90±1.13, 3.81±1.40 and 1.62±0.23) were significantly lower than group 1. A p - value <0.05 was considered significant. Majority of the control participants consumed fruits and vegetables (sources of exogenous antioxidants) regularly more than the test groups Conclusion: The study reported higher oxidative stress markers; oxidative stress index and lower antioxidant status in study subjects compared to controls .Oxidative stress appeared more marked in thyroid malignancy than the benign thyroid disease state. Adequate intake of fresh fruits and vegetables could be beneficial for thyroid cancer patients.