Phyto suppression of Plasmodium berghei Multiplication by Nauclea latifolia improves the Indices of Pancreatic Beta Cell Function and Anaemia in Experimental Mice.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains one of the major causes of childhood mortality in many parts of the world, especially in the sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. Increasing chemotherapeutic failure and side effects of available antimalarial drugs have promoted the use of natural herbs for the treatment of malaria in Nigerian communities. OBJECTIVE: To study the phytosuppression of P berghei by Nauclea latifolia and its effects on the indices of anaemia and pancreatic beta cell function in experimental mice. METHODS: Fifty mice were divided into 10 groups (n=5) and used for the study. Group 1 (control) were uninfected but given placebo. Group 2 were infected with P berghei and treated with placebo. Groups 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 received N. latifolia treatment, while Groups 6 and 7 received standard chloroquine treatment. Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were however infected with the malarial parasite. Blood samples were collected by heart puncture and prepared for the estimation of haemoglobin, insulin and glucose. The pancreatic beta cell function (HOMA-beta) was determined using the fasting serum insulin and glucose levels as documented. RESULTS: P. berghei malaria infection caused a significant reduction in haemoglobin that led to anaemia in the mice, There were elevated HOMA-beta) in the parasitized and chloroquine treated groups, suggesting possible pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Treatment with N. latifolia showed parasitaemia suppression and' improved pancreatic beta cell function and haemoglobin concentrations. CONCLUSION: N. latifolia contains bioactive phytochemicals that suppresses malaria parasite multiplication and improves pancreatic beta cell function.

Levels of some micronutrients in some Nigerian hypertensives.

A total of seventy (70) consenting subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects consist of fifty (50) hypertensive subjects yet to receive treatment and twenty (20) normotensive (control) subjects. Subjects' blood pressure values were measured and serum was obtained from the whole blood collected by vene puncture using centrifugation technique. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were determined by established procedures using commercial kit reagents. Results show that the mean serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels for hypertensive patients were 1.98 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, 1.65 +/- 0.42 mmol/L and 0.88 +/- 0.20 mmol/L as against 2.11 +/- 0.10 mmol/L, 1.50 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.96 +/- 0.05 mmol/L for normotensive subjects. Fifty-four (54) percent and twelve (12) percent of the hypertensives had reduced calcium and magnesium levels respectively, but none for the normotensive subjects. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the hypertensive patients and forty-five (45) percent of the normotensives had elevated serum phosphorus levels, but no subject was hypophophataemic. Hypertension reduced serum calcium (P < 0.05) and magnesium (P > 0.05) levels among hypertensives in the south-south area of Nigeria. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. The effects of antihypertensive drugs and/or micronutrients' supplementation on blood pressure and serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in our study area should be further investigated. This is important because beneficial adjunct to the available modalities in the treatment of hypertension especially in Nigeria could be identified.

Serum total anti-oxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers.

Cigarette smoke has been reported to contain free radicals. The interaction of these free radicals with the body defense system and associated health risk among Nigerian smokers have remained scarcely investigated despite the high numbers of smokers in our society. This study thus, investigates the serum total antioxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers in apparent good health and who have been smoking between 1.4 sticks of cigarette/day for about 1-3 years. Twenty(20) consenting smokers between 19 and 45 years consisting of fifteen (15) males and 5 females were recruited after examination to certify their apparent good health. Twenty (20) non-smokers, who were matched in age and sex were included as control subjects. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed to be higher in male non-smokers (1.92 +/- 0.2 2mM) when compared with their female counterparts (1.88 +/- 0.16 mM). Among smokers, the males subjects showed a decreased TAC (Male: 1.45 +/- 0.23 mM and female; 1.65 +/- 0.16 mM) with a strong statistical difference between the TAC of smokers and non-smokers (t = 2.095, n = 20 and P < 0.05). Data suggest lower oxidant defense and hence, increased susceptibility to free radical associated diseases especially among the male smokers. Conserted efforts need to be made by governmental agents to enforce legislation that could reduce the rate of smoking. Campaigns should also be initiated to educate the lay public on the dangers of cigarette smoking.

Gender differences in blood glucose and uric acid levels induced by varying doses of alcohol in man / Diferencias entre sexos en los niveles de glucosa y ácido úrico inducidos por diversas dosis de alcohol en seres humanos

Objective. To study the gender differences in plasma glucose and uric acid levels caused by varying doses of alcohol. Materials and methods. 64 (36 male and 28 female) healthy, light drinkers (< 20 g ethanol/day) between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-six years were selected as volunteers. Results. The administration of 0.325, 0.650 and 1,300 g ethanol/kg body weight, reduced plasma glucose by 2, 11 and 16% respectively, in males and by 1, 4 and 7% in female subjects, respectively. These doses respectively increased plasma uric acid by 6, 20 and 32% in males and by 14, 40 and 56% in females (p > 0.05: except for the 56% difference). Conclusions. Although, these changes were not demonstrated to be statistically significant, sex is implicated to influence the manner alcohol affects the metabolism of glucose and uric acid. Recently, hypoglycaemia and hyperuricaemia have been observed to be risk factors of brain damage and cardiovascular disorders, respectively. The involvement of chronic and excessive consumption of ethanol in brain damage and cardiovascular dysfunction via disturbances in plasma glucose and uric acid levels, respectively, deserve further investigations (AU)

Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias entre sexos en los niveles en plasma de glucosa y ácido úrico producidos por diversas dosis de alcohol. Material y métodos. Sesenta y cuatro personas (36 hombres y 28 mujeres) sanas, consumidoras «ligeras» de alcohol (< 20 g alcohol/día), de edades comprendidas entre los 25 y 36 años de edad fueron incluidas en el estudio, siendo su participación voluntaria. Resultados. La administración de 0,325, 0,650 y 1.300 g etanol/kg de peso redujo la concentración de glucosa plasmática en varones un 2, 11 y 16%, respectivamente, y en mujeres en un 1, 4 y 7%, respectivamente. En estas dosis, se elevaron los niveles de ácido úrico en plasma en varones en un 6, 20 y 32%, y en las mujeres un 14, 40 y 56% (p > 0,05, excepto en la dosis más alta de alcohol). Conclusiones. Aunque los cambios observados no son estadísticamente significativos, el género pudiera estar implicado en los efectos del alcohol sobre el metabolismo de la glucosa y ácido úrico. Recientemente se ha observado que la hipoglucemia e hipercalcemia son factores de riesgo del daño cerebral y de los trastornos cardiovasculares, respectivamente. La implicación del consumo crónico y excesivo del alcohol en el daño cerebral y la disfunción cardiovascular, a través de alteraciones en los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa y ácido úrico, respectivamente, requieren posteriores investigaciones (AU)

Knowledge attitude to modern family planning methods in Abraka communities, Delta State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of regard and misconceptions of modern family planning methods in Abraka communities. METHODS: The interviewer's administered questionnaire method was used to gather the required information from 657 respondents randomly chosen from PO, Ajalomi, Erho, Oria, Otorho, Umeghe, Urhuoka and Uruagbesa communities in Abraka kingdom. RESULTS: Results show that 75.3% of those interviewed were aware of modern family planning but only 42.9% were using it to plan their families. Those using condom, safe periods and withdrawal constitute 32.6% of the 42.9% figure. Thus, data indicate a fairly high degree of awareness but little regard for family planning. CONCLUSION: Campaigns should be organized in order to educate Abraka communities on the benefits and need for family planning. Government should provide quality, comprehensive and subsidized family planning services. In addition, research efforts should be intensified on how to take advantage of the traditional methods of family planning to systematically introduce the modern method, so as to gradually eliminate the associated bias and misconceptions associated with modern methods of family planning.

Quantitative analysis of nitrate and nitrite contents in vegetables commonly consumed in Delta State, Nigeria.

Plasma thiocyanate has been reported to be high among cassava-eating populations such as that in Nigeria because of the cyanide content of cassava. Thiocyanate, which is secreted into the stomach contents of animals, has been demonstrated to catalyse the formation of nitrosamines (potent carcinogens) in the stomach from secondary amines and nitrite. The main source of the nitrite precursor in this environment is vegetables, primarily eaten as the chief supplier of proteins. The present study attempts to analyse the levels of nitrate and nitrite in vegetables commonly grown and consumed in Delta State, Nigeria. The nitrate and nitrite contents in green vegetable (Amaranthus spp.), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) and water leaf (Talinum triangulare) grown in different localities of the state were determined by standard analytical procedures. The results show that those vegetables grown in the industrialised urban centres of the state had higher nitrate (223 (SD 71) mg/kg dry weight; P<0.05) and nitrite (12.6 (SD 1.7) mg/kg dry weight; P>0.05) levels when compared with the same species (188 (SD 77) mg nitrate/kg dry weight and 10.9 (SD 1.1) mg nitrite/kg dry weight) cultivated in less industrialised suburbs. We conclude that frequent consumption of such vegetables whose nitrate and nitrite contents are high by cassava-eating individuals might put them at risk of developing stomach cancer and other possible results of nitrate and/or nitrite toxicity. In order to avoid an outbreak in our communities, appropriate agencies should monitor and regulate the release of chemicals into the environment. In the meantime, the cultivation and consumption of vegetables grown in industrialised areas of the state should be discouraged.

Honey-induced stimulation of blood ethanol elimination and its influence on serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure in man.

The effect of honey on blood alcohol metabolism and the accompanying changes in serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure were investigated using volunteers. Fifty consenting undergraduates in apparent good health, between the ages of 15 and 30 years (23.6 +/- 7.4), were recruited for the study. The subjects were moderate alcohol drinkers (<30 g ethanol/day), matched in body weight and frame size. The participants were given ethanol (0.5 g/kg) and ethanol + honey (0.5 g/kg + 1.25 ml/kg) on two different occasions separated by 1 week. The results show that honey significantly (p < 0.01) increased blood alcohol disappearance and elimination rates by 32.4 and 28.6%, respectively, but reduced the intoxication time (that is, the time taken to attain zero blood alcohol level) and its degree (the peak blood alcohol level) by 30.0 and 4.4%. Ethanol + honey further increased serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure by 20.8 and 1.3/1.4% when compared with the proportion induced by ethanol after about 10 h of ingestion. The occasional use of honey as an anti-intoxicating agent may be approved. Meanwhile, further studies on how to ameliorate or prevent the associated increase in serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure is required.

Oral fructose-induced changes in blood ethanol oxidokinetic data among healthy Nigerians.

Reports on the influence of fructose on blood alcohol clearance have not always been consistent. Notwithstanding, information concerning the Nigerian population is yet to be documented. In this present study, ten consenting adults in apparent sound health, and who did not have any traceable history of alcohol or drug abuse were selected. The subjects were non-smoking Nigerians with an average age of 23.3 years and body weight of 55 kg, and were matched in body frame size and weight. The volunteers were given 0.55g (20%) ethanol/kg body weight as single dose about 4 hours after their breakfast meal, and on another occasion, 0.25g fructose/kg body weight was used to sober the intoxicating effect produced by 0.55g (20%) ethanol/kg body weight. In each case, the blood alcohol level (BAL) was determined every 30 minutes using about 0.5 ml whole blood obtained by venipuncture. The mean peak BAL obtained for the male and female subjects (0.093% vs 0.096%) imply that the women were more intoxicated, though for a shorter time (314 minutes vs 280 minutes). This investigation also demonstrates that the group of women cleared blood alcohol faster (0.026%/hr) and oxidized blood alcohol more rapidly (115.8 mg/kg/hr) than the men, who respectively recorded mean values of 0.021%/hr and 102 mg/kg/hr. However, among the male and female volunteers, oral fructose intake significantly (p<0.05) increased the blood ethanol clearance rate by 66.7 and 92.3%, decreased intoxication time by 41.7 and 40%, reduced peak BAL by 18.3 and 0%, but enhanced blood ethanol oxidation rate by 71.2 and 66.7%, respectively. The oxidokinetic data obtained suggest that Nigerian women may be more susceptible to alcohol's effects than Nigerian men, and oral fructose seems promising in the treatment of Nigerian alcoholics.

Effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism.

The effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism was tested using 45 consenting individuals in apparent good health and between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The subjects were moderate social drinkers matched in terms of body weight and build. The results obtained showed that on average, honey significantly (p < 0.05) increased the blood ethanol clearance rate by 68% and decreased the intoxication period by 43%, but insignificantly (p > 0.05) reduced the degree of intoxication by 9%. Honey could be a promising anti-intoxicating agent, but its long-term biochemical evaluation, possibly as a complement in the management of alcohol intoxication, deserves further study.