Renal and Hepatic Dysfunctions in Early Phase of Experimental Trypanosoma brucei Infection of Nigerian Pigs.

Aim: The effects of infection with Trypanosoma brucei on renal and hepatic functions in early phase of disease were studied in experimentally infected pigs. The aim of this study was to identify serum biochemical changes that could serve as biomarkers of early renal and hepatic dysfunctions and also serve as basis for therapeutic management of T. brucei infections in man and animals. Study Design: A total of 15 growing pigs aged between 6 and 12 months old were used for the study. The pigs were selected at random into two groups. Group one was made up of seven animals and served as the infected group. The pigs were each infected with 1 x 106 parasites in 2mls of normal saline subcutaneously. The second group, made up of six animals, served as the un-infected control group. Place and Duration of Study: The pigs were housed in insect proof pens for two months while the experiment lasted. Methodology: Blood for serum obtained through venipuncture of the anterior venacava was used for determination of the serum total proteins, albumin, creatinine and urea concentrations as well as activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase post infection. Results: After infection there was a sharp increase in Total proteins (P = .05) accompanied by decrease in albumin but increase in globulin concentrations on Day 5. Increases in, serum creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) concentrations and, activities of Alanine and Aspartate aminotransferases also occurred from this day. Conclusion: It was concluded that decrease in serum albumin concentration alongside increase in creatinine and urea levels as well as those of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities may be biomarkers of early onset of renal and hepatic pathology and determinants of ability to achieve self-cure from anemia in T. brucei infections of man and animals. This underscores the relevance of erythropoietin use in chemotherapy of African trypanosomiasis and the roles of renal and hepatic integrity in trypanotolerace.

Antiplasmodial Activity of Aqueous leaf Extract of Mucuna Pruriens Linn in Mice Infected with Plasmodium Berghei (Nk-65 Strain).

The antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) was evaluated against Plasmodium berghei NK-65 strain in mice. The plant was selected based on their traditional claims for treatment of fever and other malaria related diseases in southeastern region of Nigeria. An aqueous leaf extract (90 – 270 mg/kg) was investigated for antiplasmodial activity against Chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei infections in mice. The antiplasmodial activity during early and established infections as well as prophylactic action of the plant in blood was investigated. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as positive controls. The extract (90 – 270 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infection in suppressive, prophylactic and curative models in mice. The extract at these doses caused 60.06 – 71.75% inhibition of parasitaemia in the suppressive test, 65.97 – 84.38% parasitaemia inhibition in prophylactic test and a mean survival time of 16 – 30 days representing 64.41– 89.71% inhibition of parasitaemia in the curative test. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.05) comparable to that of the standard drug used (Chloroquine and Pyrimethamine). These results show that the aqueous leaf extract of M. pruriens possesses significant (P<0.05) antiplasmodial activity which confirms its use in folkloric medicine in the treatment of fever and other malaria-related disease.

Erythropoietic and bone marrow stimulating activity of terminalia catappa extract: Possible role of nitric oxide signaling.

Aims: We assessed the capacity and mechanism of Terminalia catappa (TC) to induce erythropoiesis in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced anemic mice. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: This study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry and Center for Biotechnology Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria. The duration spanned between Jan 2011 and Feb 2012. Methodology: Solvent fractions of Terminalia catappa aqueous extract was used to treat phynylhydrazine-induced anemic mice. Treatment was done for four days, erythropoietic activity of each fraction was assayed by determining the effect of these fractions on intracellular hemoglobin and reticulocyte level from the blood, arginase was also assayed. Bone marrow carbonic anhydrase was assayed to monitor bone marrow erythropoietic stimulation. Results: Terminalia catappa was able to up-regulate the synthesis of intracellular hemoglobin (0.135 ±0.004 μmol/0.1ml) significantly comparable to hydroxyurea (HU) (0.158±0.006 μmol/0.1ml), and normalize the peripheral blood reticulocyte index significantly at P<.05 0.94±0.25% close to the non anemic mice 0.97±0.25% and bone marrow carbonic anhydrase activity. TC inhibited arginase activity significantly (P<.05) comparable to hydroxyurea. Conclusion: The results demonstrate Terminalia catappa extract as an erythropoietic agent that supports normal erythroid differentiation in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced anemic mice in a synergistic fashion.