ABSTRACT
Obesity is a recognized worldwide epidemic with increasing prevalence in developing nations. Studies have shown that obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) besides its link with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We evaluated the renal status of obese patients using both the established [creatinine (Cr)] and new (cystatin C) markers of renal function. This was a cross-sectional study. Fifty-nine consenting adults attending the clinic for routine medical checks were recruited for this study. They were divided into obese and non-obese based on their body mass index. Serum from specimens collected were assayed for Cr and cystatin C. CKD equations were used to estimate glomerular filtration rate based on Cr (eGFR-Cr), cystatin C (GFR-Cystatin), and Cr/cystatin C (GFRCr/cystatin) while modification of diet in renal disease equation was also used to eGFR-Cr. The eGFR results generated were compared in assessing renal function. The obese participants and the controls were age-matched (50.6 ± 9.7 vs. 50.7 ± 7.8 years, P = 0.2). The obese participants had a significantly higher serum cystatin C (1.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.9 ± 0.4 mg/L, P < 0.001) and significantly lower eGFR-cystatin C (75.4 ± 38.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 90.9 ± 25.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001) than the controls, respectively. There was a significant difference between the eGFR-Cr and eGFR-cystatin C in the obese participants (97.4 ± 21.4 vs. 75.4 ± 38.9 mL/min/1.73 m2), P = 0.019). The results showed that mild renal impairment exists among obese participants. Routine assessment is recommended to pre-empt deterioration in renal function. Cystatin C appears to be a better marker of renal function in obesity than serum Cr.
Subject(s)
Creatinine/blood , Cystatin C/blood , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Kidney Diseases/diagnosis , Kidney/physiopathology , Models, Biological , Obesity/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Kidney Diseases/blood , Kidney Diseases/epidemiology , Kidney Diseases/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Obesity/diagnosis , Predictive Value of Tests , Prevalence , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by herbalists in Nigeria for the management of hypertension. As part of our on-going scientific evaluation of the extract, we designed the present study to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles in rats. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral median lethal dose (LD(50)) and other gross toxicological manifestations on acute basis. In the sub-acute experiments, the animals were administered 2.5 g/kg (p.o) per day of the extract for 28 consecutive days. Animal weight and fluid intake were recorded during the 28 days period. Terminally, kidneys, hearts, blood/sera were obtained for weight, haematological and biochemical markers of toxicity. Results show that the LD(50) could not be determined after a maximum dose of 10 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with the extract neither affected whole body weight nor organ-to-body weight ratios but significantly increased the fluid intake (P < 0.0001). Haematological parameters and the levels of ALT, AST, albumin and creatinine were not significantly altered. However, the concentration of total proteins was significantly increased in the treated group. In conclusion, the aqueous seed extract of P. americana is safe on sub-acute basis but extremely high doses may not be advisable.
Subject(s)
Hypertension/drug therapy , Medicine, African Traditional , Persea/toxicity , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Administration, Oral , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Lethal Dose 50 , Male , Nigeria , Rats , SeedsABSTRACT
The aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by herbalists in Nigeria for the management of hypertension. As part of our on-going scientific evaluation of the extract, we designed the present study to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles in rats. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral median lethal dose (LD50) and other gross toxicological manifestations on acute basis. In the sub-acute experiments, the animals were administered 2.5 g/kg (p.o) per day of the extract for 28 consecutive days. Animal weight and fluid intake were recorded during the 28 days period. Terminally, kidneys, hearts, blood/sera were obtained for weight, haematological and biochemical markers of toxicity. Results show that the LD50 could not be determined after a maximum dose of 10 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with the extract neither affected whole body weight nor organ-tobody weight ratios but significantly increased the fluid intake (P < 0.0001). Haematological parameters and the levels of ALT, AST, albumin and creatinine were not significantly altered. However, the concentration of total proteins was significantly increased in the treated group. In conclusion, the aqueous seed extract of P. americana is safe on sub-acute basis but extremely high doses may not be advisable
