Alcohol and Caffeine Co-Administration Increased Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Inflammatory Cytokines in Sleep-Deprived Rats: Implications for Cognitive Decline and Depressive-Like Manifestations.

Sleep deprivation is a major health problem in modern society; it has been worsened by alcohol and caffeine intake to stay awake and improve bodily activities, an experience common among night-shift workers. For the present study, 50 adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150 g and 200 g were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each (n = 10). Group 1 was the control group; group 2 was the group of sleep-deprived (SD) rats; group 3 was composed SD rats submitted to the administration of 20% alcohol; group 4 comprised SD rats submitted to the administration of 200 mg/kg of caffeine; and Group 5 was composed of SD rats who underwent the co-administration of 20% alcohol and 200 mg/kg of caffeine. At the end of 28 days, the animals were euthanized, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Memory, anxiety, social behavior and locomotive activity were assessed using the Y-maze, the elevated plus maze, the hole-board and three-chambered social approach tests, and the open field test. The plasma levels of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], interleukin 10 [IL-10], and tumor necrosis factor beta, [TNF-ß]) were also measured. Data was expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] values, and the data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey post hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05 . The results revealed that sleep deprivation, and the co-administration of alcohol and caffeine impair memory in rats. Sleep deprivation also caused a significant increase in anxiety and anxiety-related behavior, with decreased social interaction, in rats. Locomotive activity was improved in SD rats, especially in those to which alcohol was administered. Sleep deprivation significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity among SD rats and those to which alcohol was administered when compared with the controls. The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-ß were significantly increased in SD rats when compared with the controls. The administration of alcohol and caffeine separately, as well as their co-administration, significantly increased cytokine levels in rats.

Ginkgo biloba supplement abates lead-induced endothelial and testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats via up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression, pituitary-testicular hormones and down-regulation of oxido-inflammatory reactions.

BACKGROUND: Apoptotic and oxido-inflammatory pathways have been found to be up-regulated in lead acetate poisoning which has been associated to endothelial and testicular dysfunctions. It is yet uncertain, nevertheless, if treatment with Ginkgo biloba supplements (GBS), a flavonoid-rich natural product can lessen the adverse effects of lead on endothelial and testicular functions. This study investigated the impact of Ginkgo biloba supplementation on lead-induced endothelial and testicular dysfunctions. METHODS: The animals were treated with GBS (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally) for 14 days following oral exposure to lead acetate (25 mg/kg) for 14 days. After euthanasia, blood samples, epididymal sperm, testes, and aorta were collected. The quantities of the hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as the anti-apoptotic, oxidative, nitrergic, inflammatory markers, were then determined using immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and conventional biochemical methods. RESULTS: GBS reduced lead-induced oxidative stress by increasing the levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) in endothelium and testicular cells. Normal testicular weight was restored by GBS which also decreased endothelial endothelin-I and increased nitrite levels. TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased while Bcl-2 protein expression was enhanced. Lead-induced alterations in reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, and testosterone) were also restored to normal. CONCLUSION: According to our result, using Ginkgo biloba supplement prevented lead from causing endothelial and testicular dysfunction by raising pituitary-testicular hormone levels, boosting Bcl-2 protein expression and lowering oxidative and inflammatory stress in the endothelium and testes.

Comparative Analysis of Fasting Blood Glucose and Salivary Electrolytes Concentrations among Individuals with Type II Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Hospital Based Study.

Salivary gland dysfunction is common in people with diabetes. This study aimed to compare the measurements of salivary electrolytes (SE); Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3 - between diabetes and an age matched control group, and assess the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and salivary electrolytes, and salivary glucose (SG). Eighty-five human participants [diabetes group, n = 45 (23 males and 22 females) and control group, n = 40 (20 males and 20 females)] aged between 25 and 65years were tested. Saliva samples were taken between 7.00 am and 8.00 am after an overnight fast and SG and SE concentrations were analysed. Diabetes mellitus was defined using FBG ≥ 126 mg/dl. SG and SE concentrations were analysed using t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient tested the relationship between FBG and Salivary electrolytes and glucose. The participants were matched in their baseline demographic characteristics with a mean age of 49 years (standard deviation SD, 11 years), body mass index (25.7 kg/m2 (SD, 3.6). Half of them were males (50.6 %) and predominantly traders (30.6 %). However, the mean values for the salivary sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate electrolytes were significantly higher in the diabetes group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Of the salivary electrolytes, only the bicarbonate was significantly correlated with FBG (r = -0.594, p = 0.004) in female participants. This study found that people with diabetes have elevated salivary electrolytes which were not dependent on their age and gender. Although this study suggests some potential for saliva as an alternative in monitoring of diabetes mellitus, extensive research is required before we can reach any firm conclusion.

Ginkgo biloba Supplement Reverses Lead (II) Acetate-Induced Haematological Imbalances, Hepatic and Renal Dysfunctions in Male Wistar Rat.

Lead is a heavy metal abundant in nature that causes haematological imbalances, and hepatic and renal dysfunction, and this imbalance has been linked to oxidative stress. Several reports have shown that natural products are implicated in ameliorating metal poisonings. Ginkgo biloba is a flavonoid-rich natural herbal supplement with several pharmacological properties. The present study investigated effect of Ginkgo biloba supplement (GBS) on lead-induced toxicity. Animals were given a lead dose of 25 mg/kg for 14 days orally and then given Ginkgo biloba supplements of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally for 14 days. Animals given GBS had significantly improved haematological and rheological parameters. GBS showed a protective impact in terms of improved kidney and liver histology, anti-oxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, GSH, and MDA), organ function indices, and a lower rate of erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Conclusively, Ginkgo biloba supplementation attenuated lead toxicity by normalization of haematological imbalances, and hepatic and renal dysfunction as well as maintaining erythrocyte membrane integrity.

Down regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced rats supplemented with clomifene citrate: The fate of infertility.

This study was designed to physiologically investigate the fate of stress related infertility conditions to focus on the regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced female Wistar rats supplemented with clomifene citrate. 42 apparently healthy female Wistar rats weighing about 120-160 g were used in the study. The animals were randomly distributed into 3 groups after acclimatization for 2 weeks. Group 1 served as the control pregnant rats not induced by restraint, mirrored and intruder stressors, group 2 consisted of rats treated with 0.013 mg/g of clomifene citrate drug and exposed to three different stressors while group 3 represented pregnant rats exposed to different stressors but not treated with clomifene citrate. At the end of 3weeks, the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation. The uterus and ovary organs were carefully isolated, weighed and examined for histological changes. The reproductive capacities studied were gestation period, mean pup weight, litter size and survival rate respectively. Data collected is expressed in Mean±SEM and one way ANOVA statistics was used for comparison of means while Fisher's LSD was employed for post hoc test and the level of significance is determined at p-value < 0.05. Results from our study revealed that restraint and intruder stressors following supplementation with clomifene citrate produced similar stress response in the gestation length, pub-weights, litter size and percentage of survival. Stress of different nature altered the histoarchitecture of the ovary and the uteri of rats exposed to restraint or intruder stressor. Meanwhile, Clomifene citrate administration produced effect on ovulation and pregnancy outcome of stressed pregnant rats and the survival ratio of the offspring.

COVID-19 pandemic: the implications of the natural history, challenges of diagnosis and management for care in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection which has afflicted virtually almost all nations of the earth. It is highly transmissible and represents one of the most serious pandemics in recent times, with the capacity to overwhelm any healthcare system and cause morbidity and fatality. MAIN CONTENT: The diagnosis of this disease is daunting and challenging as it is dependent on emerging clinical symptomatology that continues to increase and change very rapidly. The definitive test is the very expensive and scarce polymerase chain reaction (PCR) viral identification technique. The management has remained largely supportive and empirical, as there are no officially approved therapeutic agents, vaccines or antiviral medications for the management of the disease. Severe cases often require intensive care facilities and personnel. Yet there is paucity of facilities including the personnel required for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is against this backdrop that a review of key published reports on the pandemic in SSA and globally is made, as understanding the natural history of a disease and the documented responses to diagnosis and management is usually a key public health strategy for designing and improving as appropriate, relevant interventions. Lead findings were that responses by most nations of SSA were adhoc, paucity of public health awareness strategies and absence of legislations that would help enforce preventive measures, as well as limited facilities (including personal protective equipment) and institutional capacities to deliver needed interventions. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is real and has overwhelmed global health care system especially low-income countries of the sub-Sahara such as Nigeria. Suggestions for improvement of healthcare policies and programs to contain the current pandemic and to respond more optimally in case of future pandemics are made herein.

Altered gestational outcomes and delayed pubertal onset in prenatally and early postnatally food restricted male and female rats: mitigation by quercetin and kaempferol.

Nutrigenomic malnutrition during pregnancy and early postnatal life has serious consequences on original organ-programing, growth pattern, puberty and quality of life. The aim of this was to investigate the effect of two notable flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, with nutrigenomic potentials on prenatal and early postnatal food restrictions or both on gestational outcomes and the onset of puberty in male and females Wister rats. In three sets of experiments consisting of prenatal, postnatal food deprivations or both, rats were distributed into various treatment groups (n = 6). Prenatal food restriction (PrNFR) was initiated by 50% of ad libitum available diet in pregnancy (days 1-22) simultaneously with quercetin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o./day) or kaempferol (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o./day) until delivery. However, postnatal food restriction (PsNFR) was simulated by litter-increment to 16 pups per mother from postnatal day 2 together with quercetin (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.) or kaempferol (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.) treatments until weaning (day 24) respectively. The last experiment encompasses both protocols with similar treatment protocols. Kaempferol attenuated PrNFR-induced alterations in gestational length compared to PrNFR-control. Quercetin and kaempferol significantly (P < 0.05) normalized nose-length of pups of rats exposed to PrNFR. Quercetin and kaempferol reduced the number of stillbirths due to PrNFR. Both also reduced the delay in pubertal onset as evidenced by normal onset of balanopreputial-separation and vaginal-opening in the PrNFR, PsNFR and PrNFR-PsNFR male and female rats respectively. Together, quercetin and kaempferol prevents prenatal and postnatal malnutrition-induced altered gestational outcomes and pubertal delays in rats.