Effect of Methanolic Extract of Ocimum gratissimum on Blood Pressure, Some Electrolytes, Renal and Cardiac Biomarkers in 8% NaCl Induced Hypertensive Male Wistar Rats

Background: Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is a shrub belonging to the family of Lamiaceae. It is commonly called scent leaf or clove basil and it is found in many tropical countries. Studies have shown that the leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum possess medicinal properties. Aim: The effect of methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum on blood pressure, electrolytes, renal and cardiac biomarkers in 8% NaCl- induced hypertensive male Wistar rats. Methodology: Forty Wistar rats (120-160) g were assigned to 5 groups of eight rats each. Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 constitute the normal, hypertensive group, OG (200 mg/kg bwt) group, OG (400 mg/kg bwt) group and reference drugs (lisinopril, 30 mg/kg) group respectively. Group 3, 4 and 5 were given the extract and reference drug through oral gavage. All groups except group 1 were induced with 8% NaCl from 0-4weeks before treatment with OG and reference drug from 5-8 weeks. Electrolytes and other biochemical parameters were assayed using standard methods. Results: The phytochemical results revealed the presence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, phytate, tannis and saponin. At 4 weeks (after induction), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum sodium, chloride, urea, and creatinine significantly (p<0.05) increased while serum potassium significantly (p<0.05) decreased in all the groups except group 1. At 8 weeks, after treatment with OG (200 mg/kgbwt), OG (400 mg/kgbwt) and lisinopril (30 mg/kg), SBP, DBP, serum sodium, chloride, urea, and creatinine significantly(p<0.05) decreased while serum potassium significantly (p<0.05) increased. Creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB however, were not significantly altered after the 4th and 8th week. Conclusion: OG extract possesses an antihypertensive effect and enhances the proper functioning of the kidney. It may also be useful in hypertensive condition due to its nephroprotective effect at 200mg/kgbwt and 400 mg/kgbwt.

Moderately Increased Albuminuria; Marker of Chronic Complications in Nigerian Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients; Makurdi Perspective.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications are on the increase especially in the developing countries with significant negative economic consequences on individuals, families and health systems. Objective: We, therefore compared albumin/creatinine ratio, microalbuminuria, and HbA1c among subjects of varying degree of complications with controls to ascertain if they can serve as markers of diabetic chronic complications to enhance early detection of chronic complications amongst diabetes mellitus patients in developing countries. Methods: 109 type 2 DM subjects (47 males and 62 females) and 100 non-DM controls of the same age range (40-80 yrs) were recruited for this study. The chronic complications found were: nephropathy, retinopathy, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and diabetic foot. These were further classified into micro vascular complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) and macrovascular complications (Coronary Artery Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease and diabetic foot).Out of these 109 DM subjects, 36 were without chronic complications, 37 have microvascular complications only and 36 have a combination of microvascular and macrovascular complications. HbA1c, Urine microalbumin and creatinine were analysed using standard methods. Results: The mean levels of HbA1c, Microalbuminuria and albumin-creatinine ratio were significantly higher in DM subjects when compared to the control (p<0.05). Microalbumin, albumincreatinine ratio, and HbA1c were significantly higher in DM subjects with chronic complications than those without complications (p<0.05). However, DM subjects with both macro and micro complications had significant higher level of urine microalbumin, albumin-creatinine ratio, and HbA1c than those with microvascular complications only (p<0.05). Subjects aged 40-45 years had significant (p<0.01) albumin/creatinine ratio than subjects aged 51-55yrs as well as those >60 years. The male subjects had a significant (p<0.01) albumin/creatinine ratio and microalbumin respectively on comparing to their female counterpart Conclusion: Albumin-creatinine ratio is a simple, and less cumbersome tool which could serve as a predictor of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Immunodiagnosis of bovine trypanosomiasis in Anambra and Imo states, Nigeria, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: zoonotic implications to human health.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of trypanosomiasis was studied in cattle, being a major source of animal protein in Nigeria, thus, a very likely means of spread of Human African Trypanosomosis (HAT). METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to diagnose bovine trypanosomiasis in 264 samples collected from adult cattle of mixed breeds, age and sex, in Anambra and Imo states, Nigeria. RESULTS: Out of 264 samples analysed, 21 (7.96%) were seropositive for Trypanosoma congolense while 20 (7.58%) were seropositive for T. vivax and 8 (3.03%) were seropositive for T. brucei infections in both the states. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The predominant species was found to be T. congolense. Mixed infection of three species, T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei was found to dominate other mixed infections in both the states. ELISA detected the infection of the three species of trypanosomes in the same group of animals. The usefulness of antigen capture ELISA in the diagnosis of human or animal trypanosomiasis was established, and the possibility of the spread of HAT caused by T. brucei gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense through cattle was expressed.

Possible biochemical impact of malaria infection in subjects with HIV co-infection in Anambra state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to determine possible contributory impact of malaria infection on some biochemical markers in subjects with HIV co-infection in order to know if they are adverse or protective. METHODS: Participants were recruited at the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria and grouped into: (i) Malaria and HIV co-infection group (n = 45); and (ii) HIV infected group without concurrent malaria infection (n = 57). Standard laboratory methods were used for the HIV and Plasmodium falciparum antigen screening, malaria parasite density, CD4+ T-cell count, packed cell volume, white blood cell count, serum iron and albumin concentrations. RESULTS: The results showed that serum iron and albumin were significantly reduced and raised respectively in 'Malaria-HIV co-infection group' compared with 'HIV infection group' (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05). A positive association was observed between age and serum iron concentration in malaria and HIV co-infected group (r = 0.580; p < 0.05) while negative associations were observed between PCV and serum iron (r = - 0.388; p < 0.05) and between CD4+ T-cells and serum iron concentration (r = -0.362; p < 0.05) in malaria and HIV co-infected group. The CD4+ T-cell count, WBC count, PCV were not significantly different between the Malaria-HIV co-infection group and HIV infection group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In the present study serum iron and albumin concentrations were the most sensitive indicators that showed the contributory impact of malaria infection on biochemical index in HIV co-infected subjects. The findings suggest that at the defined stage of HIV infection in the present study, malaria co-infection may moderate the impact of HIV infection on iron metabolism and hepatic synthesis of albumin.

Prevalence of malaria as co-infection in HIV-infected individuals in a malaria endemic area of southeastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted on the prevalence of malaria as co-infection amongst 'asymptomatic HIV' and 'symptomatic HIV' subjects to see if such prevalence deviated from that commonly reported in apparently health individuals in same locality. METHODS: A prospective study that involved 196 participants grouped according to their HIV status as: 'asymptomatic HIV seropositive group' (n = 101); 'symptomatic HIV seropositive group' (n = 48) and 'control HIV-seronegative group (n = 47). Blood samples collected from the participants were used for double HIV screening by rapid immunoassay technique and immunochromatographic technique, and for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria using rapid P. falciparum antigen detection method. RESULTS: The result showed that the prevalence of P. falciparum malaria as a co-infection amongst the asymptomatic HIV seropositive group was 12 (11.8%) and amongst the symptomatic HIV seropositive group was 16 (33.3%). However, the prevalence rate of P. falciparum malaria amongst the control HIV seronegative group was 5 (10.6%) and the combined burden of P. falciparum malaria amongst both groups of HIV seropositives was 28 (18.9%). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present study observed different prevalence rates of P. falciparum malaria amongst the three groups. The prevalence was tripled in symptomatic HIV seropositive group. This shows a clear departure from possible obtainable prevalence of malaria infection alone in this malaria endemic area. Due to the mortality rates associated with malaria infection in an endemic area, it may be necessary that routine malaria screening be adopted as part of the management policy to check the co-infection.

Malaria specific-IgG, inter-pregnancy intervals, birth weights and body mass index in cases of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Considerations of both inter-pregnancy intervals and malaria parasitaemia may help in understanding some aspects of susceptibility and pregnancy outcomes in malaria endemic areas. METHODS: Pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia were recruited and divided into groups based on their inter-pregnancy intervals and malaria specific-IgG, body mass index, and birth weights were studied in the groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the P. falciparum specific-IgG concentration (f=3.52, p<0.02), malaria parasites density (f=6.44, p<0.001) and birth weights (f=7.36, p<0.001) were significantly different amongst the groups with varying inter-pregnancy intervals. In addition, different levels of associations between variables such as 'inter-pregnancy intervals vs P. falciparum specific-IgG concentration' (r = 0.23, p<0.05); 'malaria parasites density vs birth weight' (r = -0.84, p < 0.01) was observed. INTERPRETATIONS & CONCLUSION: This study suggests that inter-pregnancy intervals could be one of the factors influencing dynamic serum concentrations of P. falciparum specific-IgG while malaria parasitaemia could be one of the factors affecting birth weights. Hence, observance of inter-pregnancy intervals has its own implications in malaria endemic areas.