ABSTRACT
Objectives: Destruction of blood cells and damage to hepatocytes arethehallmark of hepatitis B viral infection. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate some hematological parameters and biomarkers of liver injury in healthy blood donors infected with the occult and overt hepatitis B attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Nigeria Materials and Methods: A total of 20 overt and 14 occult hepatitis B virus-infected blood donors were confirmed and enrolled using Roche ® COBAS q-PCR from 212 consented pooled subjects. Hematological parameters and absolute CD4+T-cell count were determined using the Sysmex hematology analyzer and Partec cyflow counter, respectively. Determination of serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alpha Feto-protein (AFP) levels were done spectrophotometrically and ELISA, respectively.Results: The mean red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, CD4 and platelet count in the overt group were not statistically significantly different from the occult group p>0.05. However, of the 34 infected subjects, 7 (20.6%), 6 (17.7%), 2 (5.9%), 13 (38.2%), 2 (5.9%) and 4 (11.8%) had abnormally low blood values for red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, CD4 and platelets respectively. The mean ALT and ALP values from the occult and overt groups were not also significantly different (p>0.05).Conclusion: This study found a decrease in the values of some blood cells. However, no significant changes in the liver enzymes were found. These infected individuals should be managed to prevent transmission of HBV infection to other people and subsequent destruction of blood cells and damage to liver cells. Future studies couldfocuson patients with chronic liver diseases/Hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HBV to determine the effects on the liver biomarkers and hematological parameters
ABSTRACT
Aims: This study was undertaken to investigate the potential effect of methanol extract of Origanum elongatum (OEME) given orally by gavage against intraperitoneal injection a single dose of Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)(0.6 ml/kg) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Study Design: Biochemical analysis, histological examination and in vivo study. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biology and health (Faculty of Science), between June 2012 and August 2012. Methodology: Hepatoprotective activity of OEME at four doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg body weight. The degree of protection was estimated by biochemical analysis of serum liver biomarkers: AST, ALT, ALP and by liver histopathological examination. Results: The total phenolic content of OEME (83.61 ± 0.19 mg AGE / g extract) and total flavonoid content (10.85 ± 0.05 mg QE / g extract) were found significantly high. The present study showed that OEME was dose dependently decreased hepatic histopathological changes and serum liver biomarkers levels in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Conclusion: Data from present results revealed the hepatoprotection of OEME against hepatotoxic products or drugs.