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Animal model development of alcohol administration in rats is of crucial importance as it gives indirect information to effects of alcohol in humans. An indirect assessment of this would be the biochemical and histological data that could arise from such experiments. 20 Male Wistar rats weighing (63.50±3.79 g), were divided into four groups (consisting 15 treated animals and 5 control animals) and administered with varying concentrations of ethanol (5% 15% and 40%) via intragastric intubation for a period of 28 days. Probic evaluations, liver biochemical enzymes and alteration in histology profile of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and viscera organs (namely the liver, kidney, heart and lungs) were determined after experimental duration. At 40% ethanol administration, the rats showed biochemically significant decrease in serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), serum aspartate (AST) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) when compared to normal study while 5% and 15% ethanol administered rats were comparable with control values i.e. normal study. Probic evaluations such as body weight, water intake and food intake showed percentage decrease in 40% ethanol administrated rat when compared with controls. The photomicrographs of the 5% and 15% ethanol administered rats indicated mild damage in their histological profiles when compared to the normal study while there was more adverse damage occurring in the 40% ethanol administrated rats. Conclusion: From this study, serum aspartate (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT), probic evaluation (body weight, food intake and water intake) coupled with histopathological investigation may be used as biomarker for the early diagnosis of ethanol toxicity in human beings.
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Aim:Rauwolfia vomitoriaAfzel (Apocynaceae) is used in the African traditional medical practice for the management of various diseases such as a cough, malaria and as an anti-psychotic. The present study investigates the toxicological potential of the administration of the leaf and root extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoriaon the brain, kidney and liver of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods:The toxicity study was carried out by Lorke’s method. For the acute study, thirteen groups of 5 rats each were orally administered 10, 100 and 1000mg/kg of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf and root of R.vomitoria.Mortality was recorded after 24h. For the subacute, thirteen groups of five rats each were orally given doses of 1600, 2900 and 5000mg aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf and root of R.vomitoria. Observation continued for 2weeks after administration to check for any mortality arising from delayed toxicity. In the end, surviving animals were sacrificed and pathological changes were observed.Results: There was a dose-dependent increase in the liver enzymes in the subchronic and subacute. Histological studies reveal an area of inflammations in the liver subacute study. No significant differences were noticed in the concentration of urea, creatinine and the electrolytes among the various group and control. There were no marked cellular changes in the kidney tissue
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Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and disability in developed Countries. Ischemic stroke is the most common, with an estimated incidence of approximately 80%.Studies have shown that dyslipidemia, including high levels of plasma or serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor for the progression of atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. Attempts are being made to include the use of lipoprotein ratios to optimize the predictive capacity of lipid profile in risk evaluation.Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hepatic lipase activity on lipid profiles and lipoprotein ratios in ischemic stroke patients.Methodology: Two hundred healthy and ischemic stroke subjects were recruited in the study after obtaining informed written consent. They were divided into six groups considering age classes. Group 1-3 were control subjects (n=100) and 4-6 were ischemic stroke subjects (n=100). Weight, height, hepatic lipase activity and plasma lipid profiles were measured and lipoprotein ratios calculated using Excel software. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad prism computer software version 5.00 and SPSS version 22 software programme.Results: Hepatic lipase activity in the stroke subjects was significantly (P<0.0001) lower than control subjects (P=0.0001, 20.21 ± 0.3706 µmol/h/ml vs 30.50 ± 0.3928 µmol/h/ml). The stroke subjects had significantly (P<0.05) higher SBP, DBP and BMI compared to the control. Abnormal plasma lipid parameters were obtained in the stroke subjects compared to the control subjects. The stroke subjects had significant (P<0.0001) elevated TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Non- HDL-C, CRI-I, CRI-II, AC, TG/HDL-C and AIP as well as lower HDL-C and HDL-C/LDL-C. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (0R=490488439.6, 95% CI=0.078 - 3.102E+18 P=0.000) is the major risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke.Conclusion: Hepatic lipase activities were lower while higher BP, BMI and dyslipidemia were obtained in the ischemic stroke subjects
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The study is to investigate the effect of anti-caspase treatment on anti-chlamydia immune response in mice. Both the humoral and aspects of cell-mediated immune response against Chlamydia trachomatis were studied. Antibody response was measured using the ELISA technique to identify all common isotypes, and cytokine response was measured using the PCR technique. The antibody levels (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgA) in Z-VAD-FMK treated group were significantly higher than non-treated group. ELISA results [showed a significantly higher amount of antibodies (IgG, IgG1, Ig G2a and IgA)] were produced in the mice that were pre-treated with Z-VAD-FMK before infection with Chlamydia trachomatis compared to mice post treated with Z-VAD-FMK after Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Data of the study indicate that the caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK did not negatively affect humoral and T cell mediated immune responses against C. trachomatis in mice.
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The effects of oral administration of sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine [SP], artesunate [A] and sulfadoxine -pyrimethamine - artesunate [SPA] on blood chemistry and brain serotonin in rabbits were investigated. Forty rabbits were divided into four groups of ten animals each. The group that served as the control received 2ml of distilled water while the other groups were received 1.25/25mg base/kg body weight of SP, 3.3mg/kg body weight of A and 1.25/25mg base/kg body weight of SP plus 3.3mg/kg body weight of A respectively by oral route daily for 3 days in a week for four weeks. At the end of each week of drug administration, three rabbits from each group were anaesthetized, blood was taken from the jugular veins using sterile needle and serum was extracted. The rabbits were sacrificed by decapitation; the liver and brain tissues were excised and homogenized. Total blood protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, creatinine and urea concentrations, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase, ALP activities were assayed using CX5 synchron autoanalyzer. The brain and liver serotonin levels were determined using high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. There were no significant differences [P
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Male , Animals, Laboratory , Antimalarials , Serotonin , Sulfadoxine , Pyrimethamine , Artemisinins , RabbitsSubject(s)
Digital Rectal Examination , Mass Screening , Men , Prostate , Prostate-Specific Antigen , Prostatic NeoplasmsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Nigeria; Primary Health Care (PHC) forms the basis for an official health policy aimed at meeting the health care needs of the entire population particularly those in rural areas. Despite the acknowledgement and adoption of the Alma-Ata declaration by most countries; as a strategy for achieving health for all; medical educational systems often remain as ivory towers from the health service system. This traditional system of medical education does not adequately prepare doctors in developing countries for their expected leadership role in meeting the health needs for their communities through primary health care. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating the attitudes of final year medical students towards the PHC programme of the Institute of Child Health and Primary Care of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos; Nigeria; with a view to provide a platform for on going medical education restructuring. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey . All the two hundred and four final year (600 Level) Medical students (2005/2006 session) of the College were surveyed by means of self-administered questionnaires on PHC programme relevance; structure; timing; quality of instructions received; observed shortcomings and suggestions on ways to improve programme implementation. RESULTS: The results showed that; majority (84) of the medical students admitted that the programme was relevant to their training; in line with their expected leadership role in meeting the health needs of their communities through primary health care; they however indicated that the programme had some areas that were not relevant to this objective. The majority (82.7) of respondents also indicated that terminating their medical education with the the programme in the final year was inappropriate because they felt that; the final year should be spent acquiring clinical skills. They suggested that it should be taught either before the clinical years; or be incorporated into the clinical years. About two thirds (64) of the respondents opined that the programme should not be scrapped but that; through better re-structuring and funding; it could be better implemented to achieve desired objectives. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students complete their undergraduate years with a positive attitude towards PHC but recommended that the implementation of the programme needed to be reviewed to meet the objectives for which it was included in the training curriculum
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Attitude of Health Personnel/education , Cross-Sectional Studies , Primary Health Care , StudentsABSTRACT
Background: The study obtained information on key growth promotion and developmental household and community health practices in Community-Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI) and non-C-IMCI in local government areas (LGAs) in Osun State; Nigeria; to determine the differences that existed; between these LGAs. Method: A cross-sectional comparative study to compare Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) key growth promotion and development health practices in two LGAs in Osun State was conducted using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data analysis was done using Epi Info version 6.0 for the quantitative survey and a content analysis method for the qualitative survey. The subjects were mothers or caregivers of children 0-59 months of age; and their index children. Results: Findings revealed that the IMCI key growth and development health practices were generally better rated in the CIMCI-compliant LGA than in the non-CIMCI compliant LGA. Breastfeeding practice was widespread in both LGAs. However; the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate among children under six months was higher in the compliant LGA (66.7) than in the non-compliant LGA (25). More caregivers (59.7) from the non-compliant LGA introduced complementary feeds earlier than six months. Growth monitoring activities revealed that there were more underweight children (19.1) in the non-compliant LGA. Community Resource Persons (CORPs) and health workers were the most popular sources of information on IMCI key practices in the compliant LGA; while in the non-compliant LGA the traditional healers; elders and; to a lesser extent; health workers provided information on these key practices. Conclusion: The IMCI strategy; if well implemented; is an effective and low-cost intervention that is useful in achieving optimal growth; development and survival of Nigerian children
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Child Development , Child, Preschool , Delivery of Health Care , NigeriaABSTRACT
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