Hematological changes, oxidative stress assessment, and dysregulation of aquaporin-3 channel, prolactin, and oxytocin receptors in kidneys of lactating Wistar rats treated with monosodium glutamate.

High consumption of locally produced delicacies could expose nursing mothers to high monosodium glutamate (MSG) levels, frequently used as a necessary condiment in low-income countries. Thus, this study evaluated some novel preliminary changes in renal hormonal receptors, the aquaporin-3 channel, oxidative stress markers, and hematological indices induced by monosodium glutamate in lactating rats. Post-parturition, twenty-four (24) lactating Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of six rats each (n = 6). Oral administration of distilled water and MSG started three (3) days postpartum as follows: group 1: distilled water (1 ml/kg BW), group 2: MSG (925 mg/kg BW), group 3: MSG (1850 mg/kg BW), and group 4: MSG (3700 mg/kg BW). At the end of the experiment, which lasted fourteen (14) days, animals were sacrificed and samples of blood and tissues were obtained for biochemical analysis. MSG administration significantly (p < 0.05) increased ROS and MDA, with a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in kidney antioxidants. Serum creatinine, total, conjugated, and unconjugated bilirubin significantly (p < 0.05) increased with MSG administration. The prolactin receptor was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), while the oxytocin receptor and aquaporin-3 channel were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the MSG-administered groups. There were significant (p < 0.05) changes in the hematological indices of the MSG-administered animals. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that high MSG consumption causes hematological alterations and may alter renal function via increased ROS production and dysregulation of the AQP-3 channel, prolactin, and oxytocin receptors in the kidneys of lactating Wistar rats.

Antihyperglycaemic activity of ethylacetate extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium in type 2 diabetes: The involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This research is to investigate the antihyperglycaemic activity and the underlying mechanisms of action of the ethylacetate extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium (EACA) tubers in a type 2 diabetes model.@*METHODS@#The tubers were processed and sequentially extracted in hexane followed by ethylacetate, using a Soxhlet apparatus, and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The acute toxicity of EACA was investigated in albino Wistar rats. An antihyperglycaemic study was carried out using high-fat diet (pelletized diet and margarine in the ratio of 10:1 and 20% fructose solution) and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The effects of the extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) on blood glucose level, insulin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#The oral median lethal dose in Wistar rats was estimated to be > 5000 mg/kg. Treatment with EACA at all doses significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose levels, compared to the hyperglycaemic control, and over time. Administration of EACA increased the serum insulin and PPAR-γ levels while decreasing DPP-4 levels. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 13 compounds, with isothiazole and isoxazolidine covering total area of 24.6% and 22.69%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The findings from this study showed that EACA has important compounds with beneficial effect in type 2 diabetes and acts by increasing insulin secretion and PPAR-γ level and decreasing DPP-4 activity.

Effects of Mosquito coil Smoke Inhalation on Spatial Memory in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Mosquito coil (MC) is widely used to repel mosquitoes in order to prevent malaria in many malaria-endemic countries. Although we are fully aware and concerned about carbon monoxide (CO) and its toxicity, exposure to CO from common, though occult sources like MC smoke is often overlooked. Equally, the adverse health effects, especially to the brain, are usually underestimated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of exposure to CO from MC smoke inhalation on spatial memory in mice. METHODS: Sixteen, adult, male, mice, were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group; each having 8 mice. The experimental group was exposed to the MC smoke (Wavetide, China) that was allowed to burn inside the gas chamber (75 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm) for 15 minutes, daily, for 14 days. Digital CO meter (PCMM05 Pyle) was used to measure the amount of CO and Barnes maze protocol to assess the spatial memory. RESULTS: Our results indicate that burning MC for 15 minutes produced up to 312 parts per million (ppm) of CO and raised the blood carboxy-hemoglobin (COHb) level by 15.8%. This is higher than the WHO recommended limit (<100 mg/m3 or 87 ppm for 15 min.) of CO exposure and the %COHb level of <2%. Mosquito coil smoke was also associated with impaired spatial memory. However, the dose and duration of exposure did not significantly affect weight gain in the mice. CONCLUSION: Although widely used to prevent malaria, MC could serve as a potential source of CO and other neurotoxins that could be harmful to the brain; the use and toxicity of which is mostly overlooked even by the public health professionals.