Mimosa pudica Protects the Testes Against Cadmium-Induced Inflammation and Oligospermia: Potential Benefits in Treatment of Heavy Metal Toxicity.

Cadmium is a known environmental and industrial pollutant with an enormous tissue disrupting potential. Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) is a creeping annual or perennial herb known to possess anti asthmatic, anti-epileptic, anti-tumour, anti-fertility, aphrodisiac, analgesic, anti-depressant, sedative, emetic properties and a strong radical scavenging activity. This research was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of M. pudica on cadmium-induced testicular damage in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty adult Sprague Dawley rats were employed in the study. They were divided into 4 groups (A-D) of 5 rats each, and toxicity was induced by administering 0.4 mg/ml cadmium chloride through drinking water to groups B-D for 21days. M. pudica extract was administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg to groups C and D. Animals in Groups C and D showed remarkable histological improvements in testicular tissue and markedly reduced damages when compared with group B.The active sperm motility of group B (6.00 ±â€¯1.00%) was significantly (p = 0.0001) decreased compared to that of the groups A (15.00 ±â€¯0.00%)) and C (13.00 ±â€¯1.22%). Sperm count analysis of group B (1.36 ±â€¯0.28 × 106/cc), C (4.18 ±â€¯0.81 × 106/cc) and D (2.54 ±â€¯1.13 × 106/cc) were significantly lower (p = <0.05) when compared with group A (12.78 ±â€¯0.92 × 106/cc), respectively. Sperm morphology of group A (70.00 ±â€¯3.16%), B (66.00 ±â€¯2.50), C (74.00 ±â€¯2.45%) and D (64.00 ±â€¯2.45%) recorded no significant difference. This study demonstrates that M. pudica has potential protective and restorative properties on the histoarchitecture of the testes of cadmium-treated rats.

Periodontal status and its association with self-reported hypertension in non-medical staff in a university teaching hospital in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests a relationship between periodontal disease and non-communicable systemic diseases with rising prevalence in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. OBJECTIVES: To determine the periodontal status and its association with self-reported hypertension among non-medical staff in a university teaching hospital in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among non-medical staff using self-administered questionnaires and periodontal clinical examination between July and August 2013. Multivariate analysis was explored to determine the independent variables associated with self-reported hypertension. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 276 subjects were enrolled into the study. Shallow pockets (CPI code 3) constituted the predominant periodontal disease (46.7%), calculus (CPI code 2) 46%, bleeding gingiva (CPI code 1) in 3.3% and deep pockets ≥ 6mm (CPI code 4) in 2.2%. Self-reported hypertension was the most prevalent self-reported medical condition (18.1%) and found to be associated with periodontitis, increasing age, lower education, and a positive family history of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease was highly prevalent in this study. Self-reported hypertension was associated with periodontitis, older age, lower education and a positive family history. Periodic periodontal examination and regular blood pressure assessment for non-medical staff is recommended.