Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which is characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and insulin on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult wistar rats weighing between 220g and 300g were used and randomly selected into four groups of six rats per group. Group A served as the normal (non-diabetic) control group that recieved feeds and water ad'libitum throughout the period of the experiment. Groups B, C, and D were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 50mg per kilogram of body weight of streptozotocin. Group B was treated with STZ only, group C was further treated with intramuscular injection of 3 I.U of insulin (humilin R) after STZ treatment, while group D was further treated with oral administration of 300mg/kg/day of crude aqueous extract of Cinnamon after STZ for 21 days. The weights of the animals and their random blood glucose levels were measured. The animals were fasted for 12hours before they were sacrificed on day 22nd. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and their blood collected for biochemical assay while the organ (liver) was harvested and processed for microscopy and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin. The result revealed significant changes in weights, blood sugar levels and lipid profile of the animals in the various treatment groups. Histological changes were also seen in animals of the treated groups except for the groups A and D which features were essentially normal....
There have been controversies on defined anthropometric indices for the assessment of obesity in pregnant women as certain cut-off values relating to it are influenced by age, sex, ethnicity and trimesters of pregnancy. This study is aimed at investigating the use of anthropometric indices particularly waist to hip ratio to measure obesity and determine its prevalence in the different trimesters of pregnancy. The research is a prospective study of 460 pregnant women in the sample proportion of 110, 110, 240 in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters respectively chosen randomly from antenatal clinic of the Rivers State Primary Health care centre, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Measurements of height, weight, hip circumference (HP) were obtained. Basal metabolic index (BMI) was calculated from values of height and weight. Waist to hip ratio (WHR) was also calculated from waist and hip values. The result showed a BMI prevalence of 3.6%, 7.3% and 0.8%; WHR prevalence of 43.6%, 35.5% and 14.2% in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively. A negative linear correlation was shown between the index and BMI as an independent variable in first trimester with value (r=-0.015). Generally, the study provides a high prevalence of WHR relation to WHO values as well as establishing 1st trimester as a good indicator of obesity in pregnant women in the population studied....
The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis exerts profound multilevel inhibitory effects on the reproductive system. But it has remained contentious how these connections influence reproduction, especially if vision is impaired or there is a subsisting stress condition. Many works have been carried out on the male reproductive tract of various rats without corresponding work on the female. Even those carried out on the female are on the Biochemical parameters. The fallopian tube is one of the most important organs of the female reproductive system needed for viable and optimal fertility. This is because it is not only needed for the transportation of the ova and spermatozoa but also the fertilized zygote. This oviduct is common to both the female humans and the female Wistar rats. This work is aimed at studying the microscopic disposition of the fallopian tube in both normal and stressed conditions. Obtained results can be used by future Researchers and various Health Professionals as foundation data. The experiment involved 40 matured female Wistar rats which were grouped into four groups of ten each after acclimatization: Group1 is the control, Group 2 is the monoenucleated, Group 3 is the bilateral enucleation and Group 4 is the alcohol administered rats. After sacrificing the rats and harvesting the fallopian tubes, the following parameters were measured: Diameters of the fallopian tubes, Lengths of the fallopian tubes, Histomorphology of the fallopian tubes, Weights of the rats. The results showed that oxidative stress caused various degrees of nuclear damage in the fallopian mucosa compared to the enucleation and control groups. And there were no changes in the mean weights of the rats and mean lengths of the fallopian tubes in all the groups....
Nevirapine is one of the components of Duovir-NTM used for the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this research study was to investigate the potential harmful effects of this drug on the histology of the hippocampus of Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were used for this study. The rats were divided into 2 groups of 10 rats each. Group A served as the control, while group B were treated with 2.86 mg/kg of nevirapine twice daily for 30 days. The rats were sacrificed using chloroform inhalation method. Their hippocampus was harvested, processed and stained using the Haematoxylin and Eosin, paraffin impregnated Glial Fibrilar Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Neurofillament (NF) immunochemistry methods. Stained slides were viewed under a light microscope. Results showed that the hippocampus of Groups B animals were-affected with moderate to severe distortion of the Pyramidal and neuronal cells, when compared with the control group A. GFAP and NF test showed increased expressions in the test group B than the controls. The drug nevirapine may be harmful to the hippocampus and should be taken with caution....
Increased degenerative changes in the lumbar spine have been linked to various occupations. These alterations have been documented to be associated with low back pain (LBP) amongst actively engaged workers. An experimental cross sectional study was done to determine the Lumbosacral angle of young adults currently engaged in primary seated occupation (Computer operators), and primary standing and walking occupation (Nurses) in Nigeria. Lateral radiographs of seventy-six (76) healthy working volunteers (34 males = 44.7% and 42 females = 55.3%) from three strata; 24 nurses, 29 computer operators and 25 undergraduate students represented by Group1, Group2 and Control respectively, were studied in three Medical centres located in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Subjects were within the age range 18 and 45 years with mean age of 27 years. Before commencement of data collection, each participant voluntarily signed an informed consent form. Each lateral radiograph was evaluated using Fergusons method for measurement of the normal LSA. Statistical analysis were done using the computer based SPSS Version 20 with level of statistical significance set at p0.05) in the mean LSA for the three groups. However, differences in LSA was observed between workers in group 2 &group 1 for age 18-24years and between workers in group 2 &control for age 25- 31years. Though mean LSA of this young population of subjects fell within normal range, the study demonstrates that the cumulative effect of certain professions over time may exceed the physiological weight bearing mechanisms of the spine and result in reversal or exaggeration of the normal curvatures of the lumbar spine. Sacral orientation determines global spinal configuration, hence the consequences may include moderate to severe work related musculoskeletal disorders involving all segments of the vertebral column....
The present study was conducted to provide base line data of the thoracic pedicle using macerated vertebrae bones. One hundred and eighty thoracic vertebrae were studied by direct measurements for linear dimensions of the Mid- Pedicle Width, Pedicle Length, and Pedicle Height in 15 human cadavers using a digital Vernier calliper with accuracy of 0.05mm. SPPSS ANOVA and Turkey Post Hoc multiple comparison tests were used to determine the significance of observed difference between the measured vertebrae dimensions, while Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the strength of the relationship. The significance level was set at 95%. Respectively, the highest and lowest mean values; for pedicle length (PL) was found at T12 (17.61±2.4mm) and T3 (14.59±2.09mm) respectively, at T12 (17.34±1.59mm) and T1 (9.78±0.99mm) respectively for pedicle height (PH); and at T12 (T12=11.26±2.78mm) and T4 (5.84±1.17mm) respectively for the mid-pedicle width (MPW). T1 and T12 vertebrae were observed to be significantly different from other vertebrae (P...
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which is characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and insulin on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult wistar rats weighing between 220g and 300g were used and randomly selected into four groups of six rats per group. Group A served as the normal (non-diabetic) control group that recieved feeds and water ad'libitum throughout the period of the experiment. Groups B, C, and D were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 50mg per kilogram of body weight of streptozotocin. Group B was treated with STZ only, group C was further treated with intramuscular injection of 3 I.U of insulin (humilin R) after STZ treatment, while group D was further treated with oral administration of 300mg/kg/day of crude aqueous extract of Cinnamon after STZ for 21 days. The weights of the animals and their random blood glucose levels were measured. The animals were fasted for 12hours before they were sacrificed on day 22nd. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and their blood collected for biochemical assay while the organ (liver) was harvested and processed for microscopy and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin. The result revealed significant changes in weights, blood sugar levels and lipid profile of the animals in the various treatment groups. Histological changes were also seen in animals of the treated groups except for the groups A and D which features were essentially normal....
Menarche is the time of the first menstrual period. The steady decline in age at menarche among girls was studied in young girls in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Two hundred (200) young girls between ages of 9-16years were contacted in the study. Thy were classified thus:- early menarche (between 9 to 11years of age), ideal menarche (between 12 to 13 years of age), and late menarche (between 15 to 16 years of age). The mean results and the percentage of the correlation studies of age at menarche and socio-economic status, diet and exercise were as follows: early menarche (9-11) years were (37%), ideal (12-14) years were (48.5%) and late age (16-15) years (14.5%). The mean age of menarche (12.16) observed in our study possibly indicate that the secular trend has not been stabilized. The result suggests that there was a decline in the age at menarche within the study population. The age at menarche is strongly associated with socioeconomic status, and diet thus was statiscally significant. Knowledge of the age at menarche will help the government to design and implement programmes about reproductive health of women to set laws about age at marriage, family planning, abortion and to decide the appropriate age at which the topics like the sex education, conception and sanitary practices can be incorporated in school....
The possible anti- ulcer effect of Sterculia Septigera on aspirin-induced gastric erosion in wistar rats has been investigated. Twenty five (25) wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200g were used and they were divided into five groups of five animals each. Group A served as control while groups B-E served as treatment group. Group B was administered aspirin only, group C was administered aspirin and ranitidine (ulcer drug) while groups D and E were administered orally with aqueous leaf extract of Sterculia septigera at different doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 days. The body weights were recorded before and after extract administration. The animals were sacrificed on the 15th day and histological sections of the stomach were analyzed. Observations in this study showed that administration of the aqueous extract of the leaves did not significantly reduce the body weights of the animals and it produced a remarkable ameliorative effect on the gastric erosion induced by aspirin with the lower doses (200mg/kg body weight) having a slightly higher potency than the higher dose (400mg/kg body weight). This could have been due to the direct or indirect excitatory effect on the production of prostaglandins on the mucus glands of the stomach. Prostaglandins have been suggested to enhance the production of mucous cells for protection of the gastrointestinal lining against erosion by acid secretion. Thus the extract produced better ameliorative effect than the standard drug (Ranitidine) in the Wistar rats. Therefore the use of this plant in place of ulcer drugs should be encouraged....
Numerous medicinal plants are of global interest today because of their therapeutic and economic significance. Kigelia africana, is a multipurpose medicinal plant with many attributes and considerable potentials. It is a powerful antioxidant which is rich in flavonoids and steroids. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of kigelia africana on the uterus of the non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. Twenty female S-D rats were used and they were divided into four groups (A-D). Each group contained five rats per group. Groups B-D received kigelia africana extract at 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses respectively while group A served as the control and received distilled water. The animals were weighted daily, and the experiment was for duration of 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and a ventral laparotomy was performed; the uterine horns were removed and dissected into two parts. The right horn was processed for histology, while the left horn was assayed for biochemical markers of oxidative stress (catalase, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase). A significant increase (p...
The ovary is the female gonad and it produces sex hormones that are responsible for the release of ovum during the menstrual cycle. Diabetes has been reported to have deleterious effect on the structure and function of the ovary. Mucuna pruriens is a plant that has been reported to have hyperglycemic property and rich antioxidant activities. This study was carried out to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens on the function of the ovary in STZ-induced diabetes. Fifteen female Sprague-Dawley rats averagely weighing 150 g were used for this study. The animals were divided into 3 groups. Extract of Mucuna pruriens was given orally for two weeks at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. Control animals received distilled water. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood was collected for hormonal assay studies and the oviducts were excised; ova count and biochemical assay for oxidative stress markers were performed respectively. An increase in the serum levels of FSH and LH were observed in the treated groups. However, this increase was not significant. The result also showed increased antioxidant activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the experimental groups when compared with control. Furthermore, the number of ova shed at ovulation in the treated groups was comparable with the control group. In conclusion, Mucuna pruriens seed extract ameliorates the deleterious effect of diabetes mellitus on ovarian function....
Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic affecting both Gram- positive and Gram- negative organisms. It is used in many parts of the world for the treatment of life-treating infections including typhoid fever and meningitis. It is a commonly abused drug in Nigeria. The effect of chronic administration of Chloramphenicol on the histology of the liver was investigated in rats. fifteen mature albino wistar rats weighing between 180g-302g were divided into three groups of five rats each. Group A was the control group and was administered with 1 ml of distil water, Group B was administered with 7.14 mg/kg body weight of chloramphenicol, Group C was administered with 14.29 mg/kg body weight of chloramphenicol. Drug administration was done twice daily for 4 weeks. On the 29th day, the rats were sacrificed using chloroform inhalation method, the livers were harvested and processed. The tissues sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin staining technique. Blood samples were collected for liver function test; aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphotase ALP. Histological results revealed moderate to severe cellular distortion, with nuclear clumping, vascular congestion and degeneration, vacuolization, enlargement of the central vein, dilatation of the sinusoids and nuclei pyknosis in the treated groups, when compared with the control (Group A), biochemical analysis revealed increased levels of Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) when compared with the control group. These results suggest that chronic administration of chloramphenicol is toxic to the liver and should be taken with caution....
Allen's rule predicts that limbs are more elongated under warmer climates and shortened under colder ones. Crural index is assumed to vary from population to population and race to race due to climatic changes. This study seeks to establish crural index in the Urhobo people of Nigerians and see its possible use in identification. This cross sectional study comprised of 400 volunteer Urhobo subject 200 males and 200 females. The mean tibia length/ mean femur length multiplied by 100 gave crural index, which was 84.99% in males and 85.24% in females. These values are not different from other studies in African as well as in black Americans. This study therefore partially agrees with Allens rule. In conclusion, crural indices overlap among all race types. It should therefore not be used in identification although it has great application sport science....
In the present study, we report the relationship between doses of oral lead exposure, duration of exposure, and the hormonal and testicular histomorphometric changes in male Wistar rats at specific stages of postnatal development. Male juvenile Wistar rats (average weight of 34 g) were administered lead acetate at concentrations of 0.5% (5000 ppm), 1.0% (10,000), and 1.5% (15,000 ppm) via drinking water. Rats were killed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks of postnatal development, representing the early juvenile, late juvenile, peripubescent and early postpubescent stages of life. Sera were analyzed for gonadotropins (Gn) and testosterone (T). Testicular histomorphometry was studied by the H&E and toluidine blue techniques; while caudal epididymal sperm cells were analyzed for density and motility. Serum T and Gn levels were significantly reduced (P...
Effects of long-term consumption of kunu drinks commonly used as non-alcoholic drinks on the body and brain weights of adult wistar rats was carefully studied. Sixteen adult wistar rats of both sexes with average weight of 180g were randomly assigned into two groups: A and B of (n=8) in each group. Animals in group A served as treated group (n =8) which received kunu drinks and distilled water alternatively on a daily basis for 10hrs and 14hrs 1 liberally in thirty days, while the control group received distilled water liberally for the thirty days. The rats were obtained and maintained in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The animals were fed with normal rats feeds obtained from Opeyemi Feeds, Okedogbon Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria and given feeds liberally for the thirty days. The weight of the rats were measured during the period of the research and the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the thirty-first day of the experiment. The brain was carefully dissected out, weighed using Mettler Toledo weighing balance. The values obtained from the control and treated groups were recorded and compared statistically using the unpaired sample t-test and symmetric measured test of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The results obtained in this experiment revealed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight (g) and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the relative brain weight (%) of the treated animals as compared to the control animals. There was a decrease in the brain weight (g) of the animals treated with kunu drinks but not significant (P < 0.05) as compared to the control animals. Long-term consumption of kunu drinks could therefore have adverse effects on the body and brain weights of adult wistar rats. Further studies are important to elucidate which of the kunu drinks constituents has more impact on the weight differences....
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) subjects have been widely reported to present with various anthropometric deficits compared to their unaffected counterparts. This prospective comparative anatomo-radiologic study was carried out to determine whether there are differences in the morphometry of the frontal sinus between SCA and non-SCA (control) subjects in Port Harcourt. Plain radiographs of the paranasal sinuses (occipitofrontal and lateral views) of 129 non-SCA subjects (72 males and 57 females) sourced from the film library of 3 different hospitals, and 34 SCA subjects (24 males and 10 females) were exposed at the Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Following ethical clearance, the radiological dimensions of the frontal sinuses (height of frontal sinus-HTFS, anteroposterior length of frontal sinus-APFS and width of frontal sinus-WDFS), using millimetre rule was measured. The data were analysed by calculating the minimum sample size obtainable, mean, standard deviation (SD) and Z-test (significant at p 0.05). The mean dimensions determined for non-SCA and SCA males were HTFS: 23.17±8.52 and 21.92±10.32; APFS: 10.08±2.99 and 10.75±5.31; WDFS: 45.44±16.73 and 39.04±17.77 respectively, While mean dimensions determined for non-SCA and SCA females were HTFS: 24.28±9.80 and 21.20±15.13; APFS: 9.79±2.78 and 11.00±8.68; WDFS: 41.56±13.94 and 34.10±17.53 respectively. The results of this study showed no statistically significant difference in the dimensions of the paranasal sinus (frontal sinus) between SCA and non-SCA subjects. However the mean values of the dimensions of the APFS values were higher in the SCA subjects. These values will be useful in diagnosis and management of sickle cell anaemia patients by physicians. ...
Identification of human remains is of high importance in forensic investigation. Estimation of stature is usually based on the mesurement of long bones like femur, tibia, fibular, humerus, ulna and radius which has a particular ratio in the stature of an individual. Since stature estimation is population dependent, this report describe the estimation of stature from ulna in south west Nigeria population. The distance between the anterior-most point on the tip of trochlear notch superiorly and tip of the coronoid process inferiorly (AB). The distance between the superior-most point on the olecranon and anterior-most point on the coronoid process of the ulna in the trochlear notch (CB). Tthe difference between AB andCB (AC). The distance between the tips of the olecranon process posteriorly to the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch inferiorly (EB). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to the tip of the olecranon process posteriorly (AE). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the anterior-most point on the olecranon process toa point on the posterior aspect of the ulna (AD). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the tip of coronoid process of ulna to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna (BF) The distance between the anterior and posterior ends of the radial notch (GH). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the posterior-most point on the trochlear notch to a point on posterior aspect of the ulna (IJ). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through the anteriormost point on the trochlear notch inferiorly (AF). The distance between the tip of the olecranon process posteriorly and the anterior- most point on the radial notch distally (EG). The distance between the tips of the olecranon process posteriorly to the posterior-most point on the radial notch distally (EH). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to a point in the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through the posterior-most point of the trochlear notch (AJ). The distance between superior-most point on the olecranon process to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through on the coronoid process (CF). Anterior posterior (dorsal-volar) diameter as the maximum diameter of the diaphysis where the crest exhibits the greatest protrusion in the anterior-posterior (doso-volar) plane (MC). Mediallateral (transverse) diameter as the distance between medial and lateral surfaces at the level of greatest crest protrusion, taken perpendicular to anterior posterior diameter (APD) were achieved using digital venire caliper. The minimum circumference as the least circumference near the distal end of the bone (MLD) was measured using an anthropometric tape while the maximum length of ulna as the distance from the most superior point on the olecranon to the most inferior point on the styloid process (ML) was measured using anthropometric board. Pearson correlation and Persian regression were used to derive the liner regression equations for the measured parameters that showed correlation with the length of ulna. Dimension GH, IJ and MLD were the best dimension for predicting the length of ulna, dimension CF was the best for right and dimension GH and MC were best dimension for predicting the length of ulna for both sides (irrespective of the side). This finding is a preliminary step in predicting the stature of an individual in South West Nigerian population and may become a potential tool for anatomist, forensic anthropologist and archeological investigation for the identification of unknown body remains using the regression equation within this population....
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) subjects have been widely reported to present with various anthropometric deficits compared to their unaffected counterparts. This prospective comparative anatomo-radiological study was carried out to determine whether there are differences in the morphometry of the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses between SCA and non-SCA (control) subjects, and also the standard values of the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses of SCA subjects in Port Harcourt. Plain radiographs of the paranasal sinuses (occipitofrontal, occipitomental and lateral views) of 129 non-SCA subjects (72 males and 57 females) sourced from the film library of 3 different hospitals, and 34 SCA subjects (24 males and 10 females) were exposed at the Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH). Following ethical clearance, the radiological dimensions of the sphenoid sinus (height, HTS and anteroposterior length, APS), the maxillary sinus (height, HTM, anteroposterior length, APM, right width, WDRM and left width, WDLM) were measured using a millimeter rule. The data were analysed using Z-test. The mean value for the height of sphenoid sinus for non- SCA and SCA males, were 15.08+3.50 and 16.42+ 4.92. it was observed that there were no significant differences between the height of sphenoid sinus for non- SCA and SCA males(P0.05). The mean value for the height of sphenoid sinus for non- SCA and SCA females males, were 16.02+ 4.42 and 15.90+ 4.43. It was also observed that there were no significant differences between the height of sphenoid sinus for non- SCA and SCA females (P0.05). The mean value for the height of maxillary sinus for non- SCA and SCA males, were 28.15+ 7.12 and 29.08+7.48. It was observed that there were no significant differences between the height of maxillary sinus for non- SCA and SCA males (P0.05). The mean value for the height of maxillary sinus for non- SCA and SCA females males, were 29.09+6.95 and 28.60+10.57. It was also observed that there were no significant differences between the height of maxillary sinus for non- SCA and SCA females (P0.05). It was also observed in this study, that there were no significant differences between the maxillary sinus width of the sickle cell anaemia subjects and the normal subjects (P0.05). However the mean values of the dimensions of the maxillary sinus was higher in the SCA subjects. This study has provided reference data for the sphenoid sinus and maxillary sinus morphometry of sickle cell anaemia subjects....