ABSTRACT
Background: Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disorder in which the red blood cells become rigid and sticky, and change from being disc-shaped to being crescent-shaped. The change in shape is as a result of an abnormal form of haemoglobin which leads to damage of some organs. Aim: The study was carried out to determine the levels of hepcidin and erythropoietin in sickle cell anemia. Materials and Methods: Thirty confirmed sickle cell patients in steady state (HbSS-SS) and thirty persons with normal hemoglobin (HbAA) between the ages of 15 to 30 years were selected in this study. Results: The results obtained showed that the levels of hepcidinin sickle cell anaemia patients were significantly elevated when compared with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) (P<0.05). However, the levels of erythropoietin were significantly decreased in sickle cell anaemia stable state when compared to HbAA subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion: This could probably imply that the elevation in hepcidin affect level of erythropoietin negatively. Therefore, it is possible that an antihepcidin could be developed as a therapeutic tool in sickle cell anaemia.
ABSTRACT
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to attain /or maintain an erection of the penis adequate for satisfactory sexual intercourse. This condition has been found to be more common, to occur earlier and to be more difficult to treat in men with Diabetes mellitus (DM) than those without DM. However, recent developments have led to improvement in the treatment of this condition with attendant reduction in associated psychosocial problems. This review article discusses the various treatment strategies for ED in men with DM, brings to fore the need for prior assessment of cardiovascular status of such patients before commencement of treatment for ED as well as the need for adequate glycaemic control and treatment of other co-morbidities in these patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (G. latifolium) against acute acetaminophen induced hepatic toxicity in Wistar rats. Methods:Thirty six Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups with 6 rats in each group. Animals in group 1 and 2 were administered with 600 mg/kg b.w. of acetaminophen only and acetaminophen plus 100 mg/kg b.w. of caffeine by oral gavages, respectively. Experimental groups 3 and 4 were treated as in group 1 but in addition received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w., respectively of the leaf extract of G. latifolium by oral gavages. The experimental groups 5 and 6 were treated as in group 2 and in addition received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of leaf extract of G. latifolium, respectively. The treatment lasted for 14 days. Results: The results obtained showed that the serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminease (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels had a greater increase in group 2 than in group 1 but dropped marginally in groups 3 and 4. However, in groups 5 and 6, AST, ALT and ALP were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Similarly, serum protein levels were significantly increased in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared with group 1 and 2. Conclusions: It can be concluded that extract of G. latifolium offers protection against acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen toxicity in Wistar rats.