Inevitable myomectomy during caesarean section: a case report.

Myomectomy during Caesarean section is conventionally reserved for pedunculated myomas. When fibroids located in the lower uterine segment are encountered in pregnancy, due to fear of haemorrhage, obstetricians would prefer to perform a classical Caesarean section even with its high risk of subsequent uterine rupture and avoid the fibroids. We hereby present a case where removal of intra-mural fibroids in a 34-year old primigravida though inevitably performed, was successful.

Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on red blood cells and bone mineral content in rats.

The therapeutic efficacy of a crude water extract of Khaya grandifoliola has been established in mice. This study was designed to assess the effect of the extract on the red blood cells and bone for 7 days, 3 weeks and a recovery period of 3 weeks. Daily administration of the extract showed no related adverse effects on the mortality rate, physical appearance or behaviour of the rats. A general pattern of significant (p < 0.5) increases in the red blood cell (RBC) count, PCV, haemoglobin and plasma iron content was shown by groups administered with extract after 7 and 21 days when compared with control rats. There was a general trend of reduction in the bone minerals determined (Ca, P, Mg and Cu) in the extract administered groups. Significant (p < 0.5) decreases were observed at the 500 mg/kg concentration. The bone potassium and iron content was significantly (p < 0.5) increased in rats administered with extract in a dose-dependent manner. There was an observed significant (p < 0.5) decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the rats administered with the extract when compared with the control animals. During the recovery period, the haematological indices regressed to values which were still significantly (p < 0.5) higher than those of the control values. These results indicate that K. grandifoliola has a positive effect on erythropoeisis, but no significant effect on bone mineral contents at therapeutic doses. At extremely high doses and during prolonged administration, it may have an adverse effect on bone minerals.

Effects of Khaya grandifoliola (Meliaceae) on some biochemical parameters in rats.

The antimalarial activity of the crude water extract of Khaya grandifoliola (Welw) CDC (Meliaceae) stem bark in mice has been reported. The biochemical effects of the crude water extract at doses of 100, 200 and 500 mg/day were examine in plasma, liver, and heart after 7 and 21 days of administration and after a recovery period of 21 days. The extract had a significant hypoglycaemic, hypoproteinaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effect at p < 0.05 when compared to the control rats. Liver protein content and glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in groups treated with the extract. The concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma was not significantly reduced in groups treated with the extract. A non-significant increase in liver malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the extract-administered groups. After the recovery period, the values returned to levels that were not significantly different from those of the control at (p < 0.05) for all the parameters examined.

Sex- and organ-specific toxicity in normal and malnourished rats fed thermoxidized palm oil.

The effects of free radical toxicity as induced by chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) diet on organ size of normal animals, their first filial offspring and malnourished rats, were studied. Tissue- and sex-specific toxicity was revealed. The TPO diet significantly (P<0.01) reduced lung and kidney mass in normal male rats but female rats remained unaffected. Hearts of first filial offspring of both male and female rats were, however, enlarged while lung, liver and kidneys of first filial female offspring were additionally reduced in size (P<0.01). This information suggests that the observed toxicities could be cumulative for female offspring. Malnutrition protected against toxic injury because none of the kwashiorkoric animals rehabilitated on the toxic diet showed any overt symptoms of toxicity.

Lipid composition of lesser known tropical seeds.

The lipid content and fatty acid profiles of four lesser known tropical seeds, Piper guineense, Chrysophyllum albidum, Garcinia kola and Dennettia tripetala, were determined. The total lipid content (g/kg dry weight) ranged between 31.8 and 68.9. The ranges of values for neutral lipids, triacylglycerol of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids were 17.3-58.0, 15.0-49.6, 3.0-7.2 and 3.7-11.2, respectively. The fatty acid profiles showed variation among different seeds. All the seeds contained substantial amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids. Dennettia tripetala and Piper guineense also contained moderate amounts of linolenic acid.

Plasma levels of retinol, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol in sickle cell anaemia.

The plasma concentrations of the antioxidant vitamins A (retinol), C (ascorbic acid) and E (alpha-tocopherol) were determined in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). It was found that the concentrations of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol were significantly depressed while that of retinol was only slightly reduced. The depletion in the levels of these antioxidant vitamins may account for some of the observed manifestations of SCA such as increased susceptibility to infection and haemolysis.

Increased susceptibility of erythrocyte membrane lipids to peroxidation in sickle cell disease.

Erythrocytes from normal subjects and from cases of sickle cell disease were exposed to hydrogen peroxide and the extent of membrane lipid peroxidation studied. Significantly increased peroxidation was observed in intact erythrocytes, isolated lipids from intact erythrocytes or their ghosts compared with normal controls. However, the extent of lipid peroxidation was less for isolated lipids of intact erythrocytes or their ghosts. This difference may be due to loss of factors enhancing peroxidation in intact erythrocytes in the extraction procedure. It is likely that damage to erythrocyte membranes caused by increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation may be a factor in some of the haematological features of sickle cell disease.

Significance for humans of the nutrient contents of the dry fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera.

The nutritional quality of the dry fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera, a tropical deciduous forest tree with characteristic fruits, used as a spice, was assessed. The fruit shell, fruit pulp and seed contained varying amounts of nutrients such as protein, lipids and minerals, which were comparable and some were even higher than popular spices such as red pepper, onion, curry and ginger. The crude fibre content of the fruit shell was noteworthy and can be considered a good source of this nutritional factor. The distribution of crude lipids which indicated the location of the aroma of the spice, would enhance the processing of the fruit and improve its use.