Significance of African Diets in Biotherapeutic Modulation of the Gut Microbiome.

Diet plays an essential role in human development and growth, contributing to health and well-being. The socio-economic values, cultural perspectives, and dietary formulation in sub-Saharan Africa can influence gut health and disease prevention. The vast microbial ecosystems in the human gut frequently interrelate to maintain a healthy, well-coordinated cellular and humoral immune signalling to prevent metabolic dysfunction, pathogen dominance, and induction of systemic diseases. The diverse indigenous diets could differentially act as biotherapeutics to modulate microbial abundance and population characteristics. Such modulation could prevent stunted growth, malnutrition, induction of bowel diseases, attenuated immune responses, and mortality, particularly among infants. Understanding the associations between specific indigenous African diets and the predictability of the dynamics of gut bacteria genera promises potential biotherapeutics towards improving the prevention, control, and treatment of microbiome-associated diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The dietary influence of many African diets (especially grain-base such as millet, maize, brown rice, sorghum, soya, and tapioca) promotes gut lining integrity, immune tolerance towards the microbiota, and its associated immune and inflammatory responses. A fibre-rich diet is a promising biotherapeutic candidate that could effectively modulate inflammatory mediators' expression associated with immune cell migration, lymphoid tissue maturation, and signalling pathways. It could also modulate the stimulation of cytokines and chemokines involved in ensuring balance for long-term microbiome programming. The interplay between host and gut microbial digestion is complex; microbes using and competing for dietary and endogenous proteins are often attributable to variances in the comparative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae taxa. Many auto-inducers could initiate the process of quorum sensing and mammalian epinephrine host cell signalling system. It could also downregulate inflammatory signals with microbiota tumour taxa that could trigger colorectal cancer initiation, metabolic type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The exploitation of essential biotherapeutic molecules derived from fibre-rich indigenous diet promises food substances for the downregulation of inflammatory signalling that could be harmful to gut microbiota ecological balance and improved immune response modulation.

Changes in haematology, plasma biochemistry and erythrocyte osmotic fragility of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) in captivity.

The haematology, plasma biochemistry and erythrocyte osmotic fragility of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) were studied after 4 and 8 weeks in captivity. At 8 weeks, there was a normocytic hypochromic anaemia characterized by reduced values for packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), but the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was unaltered compared with the corresponding values at 4 weeks. The platelet count, total white blood cell count, heterophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were also lower at 8 weeks than those of the birds sampled at 4 weeks in captivity. There was also a stress induced increased heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and the erythrocytes were more fragile in hypotonic solution in birds sampled at 8 weeks. Plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) increased at 8 weeks, though non-significantly, which might have been due to muscle wasting consequent upon decreased muscular activities associated with prolonged captivity. The results suggest that maintaining wild birds in captivity for a prolonged period could be stressful as shown by the heterophil/lymphocytes ratio and reduced erythrocyte osmotic resistance, and could lead to decreases in erythrocyte parameters and muscle wasting.

Comparative assessment of the erythrocyte osmotic fragility and of haematological and plasma biochemical values in the Nigerian white Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle.

The blood profiles of the Nigerian White Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle were compared. The White Fulani cattle had a significantly higher haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (p < 0.05), plasma sodium (p < 0.02), total protein (p < 0.01), albumin (p < 0.01) and globulin (p < 0.02), but lower neutrophil counts (p < 0.01) and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes than the N'dama cattle. The plasma potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume, and the erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts were similar in the two breeds.

Plasma electrolyte, protein and metabolite levels in Nigerian White Fulani cattle under two different management systems.

Plasma electrolyte, protein and metabolite concentrations were determined in White Fulani cattle kept under intensive and extensive systems of management in Nigeria. The total protein and albumin values were significantly higher (p < 0.02 and p < 0.05, respectively) under the intensive management systems. The plasma bicarbonate, calcium, inorganic phosphate, potassium, sodium, globulin, creatinine and urea values were similar under both systems of management.

Weights and blood profiles of the west African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

The body weight and blood profile were determined in the adult wild West African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the adult wild desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii kept under identical environmental conditions. A comparison between sexes showed the male K. erosa had significantly higher packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration and lower body weight and plasma alkaline phosphatase values than the female, while no significant sex differences appeared in these parameters in G. agassizii. The haematological parameters and plasma levels of electrolytes, enzymes, proteins and metabolites did not differ significantly between the two species, suggesting that the blood values of K. erosa resembled those of G. agassizii under identical environmental conditions.

Haematological changes in west African dwarf goats following haemorrhage.

Changes in haematological parameters were determined in West African Dwarf goats subjected to a 30% haemorrhage. Analyses were made before and at the end of bleeding and at 1, 4 and 24 h after haemorrhage. Significant decreases in the red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration, which are reportedly due to haemodilution by interstitial fluid were found after haemorrhage. Although the mean corpuscular volume remained normal, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte osmotic fragility decreased significantly 24 h post-haemorrhage. The total white blood cell count increased significantly 4 or 24 h after haemorrhage due to increases in the neutrophil and eosinophil counts. However, the monocyte, basophil and lymphocyte counts were unaltered.

Changes in osmotic fragility of nucleated erythrocytes resulting from blood storage.

The storage of blood for 24 h at 10 degrees C caused significant changes in osmotic fragility of nucleated erythrocytes of pigeons, peafowls, domestic fowls, lizards and toads. Significant decreases in fragility were seen with pigeon and peafowl erythrocytes. However, the osmotic fragility of domestic fowl, lizard and toad erythrocytes increased significantly.

Further studies on osmotic resistance of nucleated erythrocytes: observations with pigeon, peafowl, lizard and toad erythrocytes during changes in temperature and pH.

The osmotic resistance of pigeon, peafowl, lizard and toad erythrocytes at different temperatures and pH was studied. Erythrocytes from female pigeons showed greater osmotic resistance than those from males, but no sex difference appeared with erythrocytes from peafowls. Pigeon erythrocytes were more resistant and the red blood cell, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values were higher than those in peafowls. Although no significant differences appeared in their haematological values, erythrocytes from the lizard were more resistant than erythrocytes from the toad. At higher temperature, the osmotic resistance of pigeon, lizard and toad erythrocytes increased, while that of peafowl erythrocytes decreased. The resistance of toad erythrocytes decreased in acidic and alkaline solutions, but that of peafowl erythrocytes increased in both solutions. However, with pigeon and lizard erythrocytes, the resistance was unaltered in alkaline solution and decreased in acidic solution.

Effect of storage of blood on the osmotic fragility of mammalian erythrocytes.

The osmotic fragility of mammalian erythrocytes during blood storage was determined. Significant changes were observed in the fragility of goat, cattle, pig, mouse, rat and rabbit erythrocytes but not in sheep erythrocytes during the storage of blood for 24 hours at 10 degrees C.

Changes in osmotic resistance of erythrocytes of cattle, pigs, rats and rabbits during variation in temperature and pH.

The osmotic resistance of cattle, pig, rat and rabbit erythrocytes was determined at different temperatures and pH. At constant pH of 7.7, the resistance of erythrocytes of all these species increased as the temperature increased. However, at constant temperature of 29 degrees C, the resistance of the erythrocytes decreased in acidic solution and increased in alkaline solution.

Effects of temperature and pH on osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris).

The effects of temperature and pH on the osmotic behaviour of erythrocytes of the domestic fowl and guinea-fowl were studied. Erythrocytes of the guinea-fowl were observed to be more osmotically fragile than those of the domestic fowl at 29 degrees C and pH 7.7. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of both species decreased as the temperature (at constant pH of 7.7) or pH (at constant temperature of 29 degrees C) increased. The erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume were identical in both species.

Effects of temperature, pH and blood storage on osmotic fragility of duck erythrocytes.

The osmotic fragility of duck erythrocytes at different pH and temperatures and during blood storage was studied. The fragility increased in acidic solution and also as the temperature increased. However, storage of blood decreased the fragility of duck erythrocytes.

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of west African dwarf sheep and goats: effects of temperature and pH.

The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and of WAD sheep was determined at different temperatures and pH. Erythrocytes of the goats were more susceptible to osmotic haemolysis than those of the sheep. However, the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of both species increased with a decrease in temperature or pH.

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of two breeds of domestic fowl in the warm humid tropics.

Erythrocyte (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) values were found to be higher in Nigerian domestic fowls than those in Hubbard fowls. PCV and Hb values were higher in males than in females in both breeds. Erythrocytes of the Nigerian fowl were observed to be more susceptible to osmotic haemolysis than were erythrocytes of the Hubbard fowl. Erythrocytes of male fowls were osmotically more fragile than were those of female fowls in both breeds.

Serum electrolyte and protein levels in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) and Nigerian fowls (Gallus domesticus).

The comparison of the content of electrolytes and proteins in the serum of guinea fowl and Nigerian fowl showed that the former had significantly higher values for sodium, potassium, and albumin. The Nigerian fowl on the other hand exhibited higher values for calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, total proteins, and globulins, which were also significant.