Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and sediments in Southwest Nigeria.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are strongly associated with agricultural, residential, transportation, and industrial activities. This study determined by GC-MS the concentration of 15 PAHs in soil and sediments at different sites from the Awotan-Asunle dumpsite area in the Southwestern region of Nigeria, which is one of the largest dumpsites in Africa. The sources of contamination, toxicity and associated risks for human health were also evaluated. Total PAHs concentrations were from 489 to 5616 µg kg-1, and 642-2159 µg kg-1, for soil and sediment, respectively. For soils, the highest values were observed for indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, coronene, and phenanthrene, while for sediments, the most abundant species were pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene. Diagnostic ratios were used to determine the sources of PAHs and suggested that the compounds were mainly emitted from non-traffic sources. The total BaP-TEQ and BaP-MEQ for soils did not exceed the value recommended by the Canadian guideline since the country does not present guidelines. The analysis of incremental lifetime cancer risk was high mostly for dermal and ingestion exposures in the population. This study might provide valuable information regarding exposure to PAHs in soils of a Nigerian community.

In-vivo antimalarial activity of aqueous leaf and bark extracts of Trema orientalis against Plasmodium berghei in mice.

The control of malaria relies on the use of chemical antimalarial, but the development of resistance necessitates research into alternatives. Trema orientalis (L.) Blume is used in Nigerian folklore medicine for the treatment of malaria. This study investigates the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of aqueous leaf and bark extracts of T. orientalis in rodent model. Swiss Albino mice weighing 23-27 g were intraperitoneally infected with Plasmodium berghei. The lethal dose in mice was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg based on toxicity signs and death. Aqueous crude leaf and bark extracts were administered at 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg. Chloroquine was used as positive control while the negative control was treated with distilled water. Parasitemia, parasite inhibition, body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. The parasite inhibition of the leaf extracts at 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg was 51.55, 62.78 and 76.08 % while that of the bark extract was 44.3, 65.82 and 74.23 % respectively. The percentage parasitemia of the leaf extract at 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg decreased by 45.0, 70.3 and 74.7 % while that of the bark decreased by 37.4, 53.0 and 52.0 % respectively. The PCV of mice treated with 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg leaf extract were 48.85, 49.88 and 50.99 % while that of the bark extract was 49.38, 48.88 and 51.94 % respectively. The results indicate that the plant has a promising antiplasmodial activity against P. berghei, which validates its folkloric use.

Serum Levels of Cytokines and IgE in Helminth-Infected Nigerian Pregnant Women and Children.

BACKGROUND: Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth infection compared with uninfected groups. METHODS: Seventeen pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 60 school-aged children with helminth infection (HI) were recruited into this study. They were matched with 21 pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 50 school-aged children without helminth infection (HN) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed for serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IgE. Statistical analysis was done using the Student t test, and P < .05 was considered as statistically significant. FINDINGS: Only serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in HI pregnant women compared with HN pregnant women. In HI preschool- and school-aged children, serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and IgE were significantly elevated compared with HN children. However, preschool- and school-aged children with HI had similar levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 compared with their corresponding HN groups. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that altered cytokines expression in children and pregnant women with helminth infection might have some implications on need for deworming programs to improve pregnancy outcomes and vaccine responses.

Serum Micronutrients in Helminth-infected Pregnant Women and Children: Suggestions for Differential Supplementation During Anti-helminthic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of helminth infection, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex interplay between ages, nutrient requirements, and infection necessitated the need to recommend micronutrient supplementation during helminth infection among different age groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alteration in selected micronutrients in pregnant women and preschool- and school-aged children with helminth infection. METHODS: We screened 245 pregnant women and 349 children for helminth infection. Of these, 17 (6.9%) pregnant women and 102 (29.2%) children (42 preschool- and 60 school-aged) had helminth infection. Only Ascaris lumbricoides was found in pregnant women, whereas the children had A lumbricoides, hookworm, Fasciola hepatica, and Trichuris trichiura infections. The helminth-infected (HI) pregnant women, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children were matched with helminth-negative (HN) pregnant women (n = 21), preschool-aged children (n = 42), and school-aged children (n = 50) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamins A and C. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: Serum levels of Fe, Zn, and Se were significantly lower in HI pregnant women than HN pregnant women. In preschool-aged children, serum levels of Fe, Zn, and vitamin A were significantly lower in the HI than in the HN group. Similarly, serum levels of Zn and vitamin A were significantly lower in HI school-aged children than in the HN group. However, serum levels of Se were significantly higher in HI children (both age groups) than in the corresponding HN group. CONCLUSION: Helminth infection alters different types of micronutrients in children and pregnant women. Results from the present study therefore suggest monitoring Fe, Zn, or vitamin A supplementation with an anti-helminthic regimen.