Restoration of Hepatic and Intestinal Integrity by Phyllanthus amarus Is Dependent on Bax/Caspase 3 Modulation in Intestinal Ischemia-/Reperfusion-Induced Injury.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Oxidative stress is a key player in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (IIRI) with a tendency to trigger systemic inflammatory response, resulting in progressive distal organ injury. To date, the role of Bax/caspase 3 signaling in IIRI has not been reported. Furthermore, the discovery of a safe and effective drug remains pertinent in improving the outcome of IIRI. Therefore, this study investigated the role of Bax/caspase 3 signaling in intestinal I/R-induced intestinal and hepatic injury. In addition, the protective effect and possible associated mechanism of action of methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract (PA) against intestinal I/R-induced intestinal and hepatic injury were evaluated. Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 10). The sham-operated group was received 0.5 mL of distilled water for seven days prior to the sham surgery, while the IIRI, febuxostat (FEB) + IIRI, low-dose PA (LDPA) + IIRI, and high-dose PA (HDPA) + IIRI groups underwent the I/R procedure. In addition to the procedure, IIRI, FEB + IIRI, LDPA + IIRI, and HDPA + IIRI received 0.5 mL of distilled water, 10 mg/kg of febuxostat, 200 mg/kg of PA, and 400 mg/kg of PA, respectively, for seven days prior to the I/R procedure. Results: Administration of methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extracts attenuated the intestinal I/R-induced rise in intestinal and hepatic injury markers, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase activities. In addition, Phyllanthus amarus ameliorated I/R-induced suppression of reduced glutathione, thiol and non-thiol proteins, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in intestinal and hepatic tissues. These were coupled with the suppression of I/R-induced bacterial translocation, downregulation of I/R-induced activation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling, and improvement of I/R-induced distortion of intestinal and hepatic histoarchitecture by Phyllanthus amarus. Conclusion: Methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract protects against intestinal and hepatic injuries associated with intestinal I/R by suppressing oxidative-stress-mediated activation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling. The beneficial effects of Phyllanthus amarus may be ascribed to its constituent bioactive molecules, especially tannins, anthocyanin, alkaloids, and phenolics.

Evaluation of kidney function and urinary analytes in Nigerian trade cattle.

This cross-sectional study evaluated kidney function and urinary analytes in cattle presented for slaughter at Nsukka abattoir, Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 133 cattle were evaluated; they were physically examined at the lairage before slaughter and after slaughter, blood for hematology and serum biochemistry were collected from the jugular vein, and urine samples for urinalysis was also collected from the urinary bladder. Standard procedures were followed in all the laboratory determinations. Results showed that, out of 133 sample population of cattle evaluated, 74 (55.6%) were apparently healthy, while 59 (44.4%) were unhealthy with observable clinical signs of diseases or disorders. Serum creatinine evaluation of the 133 cattle showed that 7.5% (10 cattle out of 133) had renal impairment (serum creatinine above 2 mg/dl). There was no significant association (p > 0.05) between renal impairment and age or sex. Out of the sampled cattle, 11 (8.3%) had positive urine bilirubin levels, while none (0%) had urobilinogen in urine, and 5 (3.8%) were positive for ketonuria. Only 6 (4.5%) were positive for urine glucose, but 113 (92.5%) were positive for urine proteins. The cattle sampled had urine pH ranging from 6 to 9, and specific gravity ranging from 1.000 to 1.030 and of all the sampled cattle, 6 (4.5%) were positive for nitrite. Based on the results, it is suggestive that based on the serum creatinine level which is a known marker of kidney function, 7.5% of cattle sampled had renal impairment.