Incidence of congenital malformation in 2 major hospitals in Rivers state of Nigeria from 1990 to 2003

Although congenital malformations are believed to be on the rise in the oil production areas of Nigeria, few baseline data are available. This retrospective study documented the incidence of congenital abnormalities in 2 major hospitals in Port Harcourt, an oil-rich city in Rivers state, Nigeria. Delivery and nursery records were reviewed from January 1990 to December 2003. In the first hospital 78 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 19 572 births [4.00/1000], principally affecting the central nervous system [1.84/1000] and skeletal system [1.74/1000]. In the second hospital, 47 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 20 121 births [2.20/1000], with malformations of the central nervous system [0.80/1000] and skeletal system [1.14/1000] again predominating. More research is needed into long-term trends in congenital malformations and possible associations with environmental pollution in Rivers state

Cytoprotective effect of leaves extract of vernonia amygdalina against renal cellular destruction in induced diabetic rats

Vernonia amygdalina is documented to have beneficial effects in diabetes mellitus. Renal complications are often associated with diabetes mellitus. This study was carried out to investigate qualitatively the cytoprotective effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina on the kidney cells of alloxan induced diabetic rats. A total of thirty-two rats weighing average 200 g were used. They were divided into four groups of eight rats each. Group A was normal control group and was given distilled water and food. Group B was the diabetic control group and was given 32.1 mg/kg body weight of alloxan for three days to induce diabetes. Group C was treated with the above quantity of alloxan then administered with 40 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina for ten days twice daily. Group D was given the extract for ten days followed by the administration of the above quantity of alloxan for three days. Following sacrifice the kidney was removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The kidney was routinely processed using heamatoxylin and eosin staining methods. Results obtained showed that the kidney of rats treated with alloxan alone showed cellular degeneration while the groups given extract showed regeneration and restoration of normal histology of renal cells and tissues. We conclude that the extract of Vernonia amygdalina has a cytoproteetive effect against renal cellular damage in diabetic rats