Honey and levodopa comparably preserved substantia nigra pars compacta neurons through the modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects about 8.5 million individuals worldwide. Oxidative and inflammatory cascades are implicated in the neurological sequels, that are mostly unresolved in PD treatments. However, proper nutrition offers one of the most effective and least costly ways to decrease the burden of many diseases and their associated risk factors. Moreover, prevention may be the best response to the progressive nature of PD, thus, the therapeutic novelty of honey and levodopa may be prospective. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of honey and levodopa against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced oxidative stress. Fifty-four adult male Swiss mice were divided into control and PD model groups of 27 mice. Each third of the control mice either received phosphate buffered saline, honey, or levodopa for 21 days. However, each third of the PD models was either pretreated with honey and levodopa or not pretreated. Behavioral studies and euthanasia were conducted 2 and 8 days after MPTP administration respectively. The result showed that there were significantly (P<0.05) higher motor activities in the PD models pretreated with the honey as well as levodopa. furthermore, the pretreatments protected the midbrain against the chromatolysis and astrogliosis induced by MPTP. The expression of antioxidant markers (glutathione [GSH] and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]) was also significantly upregulated in the pretreated PD models. It is thus concluded that honey and levodopa comparably protected the substantia nigra pars compacta neurons against oxidative stress by modulating the Nrf2 signaling molecule thereby increasing GSH level to prevent MPTP-induced oxidative stress.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and risk factors in North-Central Nigeria: a population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing challenge in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. There is insufficient population-based data on CKD in Nigeria that is required to estimate its true burden, and to design prevention and management strategies. The study aims to determine the prevalence of CKD and its risk factors in Nigeria. METHODS: We studied 8 urban communities in Kwara State, North-Central zone of Nigeria. Blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, urinalysis, weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were obtained. Albuminuria and kidney length were measured by ultrasound while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived from serum creatinine, using chronic disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Associations of risk factors with CKD were determined by multivariate logistic regression and expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and fifty-three adults ≥18 years (44% males) with mean age of 44.3 ± 14.4 years, were screened. Mean kidney lengths were: right, 93.5 ± 7.0 cm and left, 93.4 ± 7.5 cm. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 24%; diabetes 4%; obesity 8.7%; albuminuria of > 30 mg/L 7%; and dipstick proteinuria 13%. The age-adjusted prevalence of CKD by estimated GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and/or Proteinuria was 12%. Diabetes (aOR 6.41, 95%CI = 3.50-11.73, P = 0.001), obesity (aOR 1.50, 95%CI = 1.10-2.05, P = 0.011), proteinuria (aOR 2.07, 95%CI = 1.05-4.08, P = 0.035); female sex (aOR 1.67, 95%CI = 1.47-1.89, P = 0.001); and age (aOR 1.89, 95%CI = 1.13-3.17, P = 0.015) were the identified predictors of CKD. CONCLUSIONS: CKD and its risk factors are prevalent among middle-aged urban populations in North-Central Nigeria. It is common among women, fueled by diabetes, ageing, obesity, and albuminuria. These data add to existing regional studies of burden of CKD that may serve as template for a national prevention framework for CKD in Nigeria. One of the limitations of the study is that the participants were voluntary community dwellers and as such not representative for the community. The sample may thus have been subjected to selection bias possibly resulting in overestimation of CKD risk factors.

Serum zinc levels amongst under-five children with acute diarrhoea and bacterial pathogens.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute diarrhoea contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in under-five children globally with conflicting reports regarding the therapeutic benefit of zinc across the different causative pathogens. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial aetiology of children with acute diarrhoea and compare their serum zinc levels. METHODS: One hundred children aged 2-59 months with acute diarrhoea and 100 apparently healthy matched controls were recruited in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Stool specimens were investigated for bacterial pathogens using conventional culture techniques, while serum zinc levels were determined by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated in 73 (73.0%) patients and 6 (6.0%) controls. Escherichia coli was isolated in 39 (39.0%) of the patients, while Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated in 28 (28.0%), 4 (4.0%) and 2 (2.0%) patients, respectively.E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were detected in 4 (4.0%) and 2 (2.0%) controls, respectively. The mean serum zinc level of 65.3 ± 7.4 µg/dl in the patients was significantly lower than 69.0 ± 6.5 µg/dl in the controls (P < 0.001). Zinc deficiency (serum zinc levels < 65 µg/dl) was detected in 47 (47.0%) patients which was significantly higher than 32 (32.0%) controls (P = 0.030). The mean serum zinc levels significantly differed amongst the bacteria isolated in the patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial pathogens constitute a significant burden to aetiology of acute diarrhoea in under-five Nigerian children. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was high in the study population. The serum zinc levels also differed across the bacteria isolated.

Assessment of seminal biomarker of lipid peroxidation among male partners of infertile couples at the university of ilorin teaching hospital, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Seminal fluid analysis (SFA) is the most important investigation of infertile males. It is however limited in revealing the aetiologies of the various spermatozoa abnormalities observed on microscopy. Increasing prevalence of male infertility and the challenges of diagnosis require biochemical investigations, such as assay of seminal malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of sperm peroxidation and to support SFA in investigation of infertile males. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the seminal level of biomarker of lipid peroxidation by measuring seminal MDA levels among infertile males in Ilorin. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty infertile males served as patients and 50 fertile males as controls. Seminal MDA was assayed using ELISA method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used. Normally distributed data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients who were mainly civil servants was 38.6 ± 6.6 years compared to 37.0 ± 5.8 years among controls. Seminal MDA was significantly higher among infertile males in this study (P < 0.05) indicating higher degree of lipid peroxidation in their semen. Seminal MDA concentrations were found to be significantly higher among infertile males with a history of alcohol consumption (P < 0.05), cigarette smoking (P < 0.001) and sexually transmitted infections (P < 0.001) when compared to control with similar history. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa among infertile males with lifestyle playing a significant role. Evaluation of infertile males should include assessment of seminal MDA. Prophylactic administration of antioxidants to this group of patients may be beneficial.

Novel Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Nigerian Cigarette Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. While the effect of cigarette smoking on conventional markers that account for <50% of CVD s has been well studied, there are only a few studies on the effect of cigarette smoking on novel cardiovascular (CV) risk markers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on the novel CV markers such as homocysteine (HCY), lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), and C-reactive protein (CRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty smokers, 12 ex-smokers, and 84 controls were recruited for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on their clinical history, daily cigarette consumption, and duration of smoking. The smokers were further grouped according to the amount of cigarette consumption: light (<5 sticks/day), moderate (6-10 sticks/day), and heavy (>10 sticks/day) and duration of smoking: short (5-10 years), medium (11-20 years), and long (>20 years). HCY was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and Lp(a) and CRP were determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: HCY, Lp(a), and CRP were significantly elevated in smokers when compared with control (P < 0.05) and they correlated with daily cigarette consumption and duration of smoking. Ex-smokers also exhibited a significant increase in HCY, Lp(a), and CRP level (P < 0.05) when compared with the control, but were significantly lower than the current smokers. CONCLUSION: There is a linear relationship between the intensity and duration of cigarette smoking and serum levels of all three novel risk CV markers. These findings suggest that these markers may be an important mechanism by which smoking promotes atherosclerosis.

Honey prevents neurobehavioural deficit and oxidative stress induced by lead acetate exposure in male Wistar rats- a preliminary study.

This research sought to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of honey against lead (Pb)-induced neurotoxicity. Twenty four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control group that received 1 ml/kg distilled orally for 28 days; while groups II-IV received 0.2% lead in drinking water and 1 ml/kg of distilled water, 1 ml/kg of honey, 1.5 ml/kg of honey respectively for 28 days. Anxiety and exploratory activities were determined in the open field test. Memory function was determined using Morris water maze after which the animals were sacrificed. The brains were then excised, homogenized and Lipid peroxidation (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione -S- Transferase (GST) activities were determined in the brains. Results showed that lead exposure causes decrease in locomotor and exploratory activities; increase anxiety, memory impairment, lipid peroxidation and decrease antioxidant activities. However, co-administration of honey with lead inhibited neurotoxicity as indicated by the improvement in memory function as evidenced by decreased latency period and increased in time spent in target quadrant in honey-fed rats compared to the lead-exposed animals. Furthermore, honey increased locomotion, exploration and decreased anxiety in lead-exposed rats as indicated by the frequency of rearing, freezing duration and the number of line crossed by animals. Also administration of honey improves antioxidant activities as shown by increased brain SOD, GST and GSH activities compared to the lead-treated groups but no significant effect on MDA level. It can be concluded that honey has neuroprotective effects against lead-induced cognitive deficit probably by enhancing antioxidant activities.