Consumption of Gongronema latifolium Aqueous Leaf Extract During Lactation May Improve Metabolic Homeostasis in Young Adult Offspring.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medicinal plants constitute a fundamental component of the traditional healthcare system in rural communities throughout Africa and Gongronema latifolium (GL), is widely trusted in Nigeria to have strong nutritional and medicinal values. This study was done to determine the effect of maternal consumption of GL during lactation in young adult offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four female albino Wistar rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned to four (4) groups. Group I: Control, Group II, 100 mg kg-1, III, 200 mg kg-1 and IV: 400 mg kg-1 at delivery. The extract was administered orally and daily throughout lactation. RESULTS: At postnatal day 42, offspring of extract-treated groups showed a dose-related significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight, food intake, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and a significant increase in liver weight index, pancreatic weight index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin concentrations of the offspring when compared with control in both sexes. Histological examination showed that GL extract caused histological alterations of the liver structures with various changes in the size of the sinusoids, with mild inflammatory cells without hepatotoxicity and cellular multiplication when compared with control. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that consumption of GL extract by lactating dams may improve metabolic homeostasis in young adult offspring.

Leukocyte profile of adult Nigerian subjects with acute musculoskeletal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte levels are evidently useful in trauma assessment, prognostication and management. Leukocytosis is a known physiologic response to trauma but suggested to be absent among Africans origin. The aim of present study is to investigate the existence of leukocytosis among adult Nigerians who sustain acute musculoskeletal trauma, S and also assess its prognostic value in management. METHODS: A calculated sample size of 223 subjects participated following informed consent while 50 apparently healthy adult Nigerian volunteers served as control. Data obtained included age, sex, duration of hospitalization and leukocyte counts using improved Neuabauer chamber while differential count was done on stained thin film. RESULTS: Analyzed results expressed as mean +/- SDM show significant male dominance (p < 0.05) among the acutely traumatized subjects with majority (70%) aged between 20 and 49 years. The mean total white blood cell count was 8184.96 +/- 201.087 cells/m3, significantly higher than mean for the control group (4922.00 + 1282.264 cells/mm3) at p < 0.05. The mean values for neutrophil and lymphocytes also show significant neutrophilia and lymphocytopaenia among the test population (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation test for duration of hospitalization was positive for higher levels of total White Blood Cell count, with strong positive correlation between the levels of neutrophil and total White Blood Cell count suggesting the source of the observed leukocytosis. CONCLUSION: Thus adult Nigerians exhibit posttraumatic neutrophilic leukocytosis contrary to some widely accepted postulations. The post-traumatic neutrophilia exhibit an inverse relationship with observed lymphocytopaenia. This can be expressed as a ratio called Neutrophil Lymphocyte Stress Factor (NLSF) and used in trauma management and prognosis determination.

Evaluation of some anthropometric indices for the diagnosis of obesity in pregnancy in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity in pregnancy is a global health problem which is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The use of weight and height, measured at about ten weeks of gestation, to produce pre-gestational body mass index is recommended for the diagnoses of the condition but limitations abound in under resourced settings. OBJECTIVES: To measure anthropometric indices such as mid upper arm circumference, calf circumference, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio, for identification of obesity in pregnancy. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements were carried out on cohorts of pregnant women from 4 hospitals in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) across the trimester groups. The mean values of waist circumferences, hip circumference and waist to hip ratios changed significantly across the trimesters. The 75(th) percentile of MUAC (33 cm) and CC (39 cm) in all trimesters, had sensitivity and specificity of more than 70% for identifying obesity in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: MUAC and CC values of 33cm and 39cm respectively might be reliable cut off points for diagnoses of obesity throughout pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria.

Parity related changes in obesity and some antioxidant vitamins in non-pregnant women of South-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The delivery of many children at short interval is associated with micronutrient depletion and weight gain. However, the relationship between the levels of the micronutrients and the body weight is yet to be ascertained. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between parity, body weight and some antioxidant vitamins in non-pregnant Nigerian women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomly recruited 200 non-pregnant women, comprising 82 primiparous and 118 multiparous women completed the study. Their age, parity, mid-arm circumference (MAC), waist circumference (WC), weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were determined. The serum levels of vitamins A, C and E were assayed using standard methods. Results : The mean BMI, WC and MAC of the multiparous subjects (parity = 3.0 ± 0.58) were significantly higher than that of the primiparous subjects (parity = 1), (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01 respectively). Furthermore, there were statistically significant decrease in the vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E in multiparous compared with the primiparous women (P < 0.005, P < 0.05 and P < 0.005), respectively. CONCLUSION: Multiparty enhances weight gain, but depletes antioxidant vitamin micronutrients in non-pregnant Nigerian women.

Evaluation of serum uric acid levels in normal pregnant Nigerian women.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are common in our environment. The aetiology is unknown and the prognostic indicators of the severity of maternal and fetal complications are variable. The level of uric acid, which is one of the prognostic indicators, is altered in normal pregnancy and as pregnancy advances. Base line values are thus extremely important to enable reasonable prognostic assessment in hypertensive pregnancies. OBJECTIVES: To determine levels of serum uric acid during normal pregnancy in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. STUDY DESIGN: settings and methods: Sixty- five pregnant and 65 non-pregnant women with age range 20-38 years were recruited. The pregnant women were in their second and third trimesters, attending antenatal clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu. Serum levels of uric acid were determined for the entire subjects. RESULTS: The serum uric acid levels were significantly lower in the pregnant women than in controls (P < 0.001). 0.15 +/- 0.03 mmol/L in the second trimester, 0.14 +/- 0.02 mmol/L in the third trimester and 0.29 +/- 0.04 mmoL for control. CONCLUSION: The low levels in pregnancy and as pregnancy progresses should be taken into consideration when monitoring hypertensive disorders in pregnancy using serum uric acid. Thus levels that are within normal for non pregnant population may indeed be an indication for intervention in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Delayed puberty onset in rats that consumed aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa during the juvenile-pubertal period.

The report that intervention during the juvenile-pubertal period in rats modifies the phenotype induced by prenatal nutrition suggests some degree of plasticity in the juvenile-pubertal period. It is not known whether consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) during the juvenile-pubertal period will affect the growth and onset of puberty in rats. The present study was therefore designed to investigate this. Weaned 21-days-old rats, whose mothers were given food and water ad libitum during pregnancy and lactation, were divided randomly into three groups of nine rats each. Control group had tap water only while the extract groups had 0.6 g extract/100 mL and 1.8 g extract/100 mL as their drinking solution throughout the juvenile-pubertal period [postnatal day (PND) 21-puberty onset]. From PND 30 onwards, the rats were inspected daily for vaginal opening, which was used as the index for puberty onset. Rats in the HS groups (0.6 and 1.8 g/100 mL) drank less fluid (solution of HS extract and water) and consumed less food compared with the control group at all periods of measurement. The weight of 0.6 g/100 mL was not different from the control whereas 1.8 g/100 mL was lower at PND 28, similar at PND 35 and higher at PND 42 compared with the control. Puberty onset in the HS groups was significantly delayed compared with the control. It is concluded that consumption of aqueous extract of HS during the juvenile-pubertal period decreased fluid and food consumption, increased weight gain and delayed puberty onset in rats.

Mechanism of the delayed puberty onset in offspring of rats that consumed aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa during pregnancy.

Consumption of extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (family: malvaceae) during pregnancy has been shown to cause maternal malnutrition which has been linked to various adverse conditions like increased postnatal weight gain, delayed puberty onset and elevated body weight and body mass index at onset of puberty in the female offspring. The present study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism underlying this. Eighteen in-bred pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were on day 1 of pregnancy, randomly divided into three groups of six animals each. Group A (control) was given tap water to drink. Group B was given 0.6g extract/100ml while Group C was given 1.8g extract/100ml as their drinking solution. All groups received normal rat chow and their drinking solution ad libitum. Fluid and food intake and dam weights were measured daily throughout pregnancy. On gestational day 18, blood sample was withdrawn from each rat for estimation of plasma Na ion and corticosterone levels. On the day of delivery, the solutions of the extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa were withdrawn and replaced with tap water. After 21 days, the pups were weaned to tap water and food ad libitum. Pups weight and age and body mass index at onset of puberty were measured. The results of the present study showed that the increased postnatal weight gain, delayed puberty onset and elevated body mass index at onset of puberty in the offspring of rats that consumed HS during pregnancy was associated with elevated maternal plasma Na ion and corticosterone levels during pregnancy.

Maternal consumption of an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa during lactation accelerates postnatal weight and delays onset of puberty in female offspring.

The present study was designed to investigate whether maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) during lactation will affect the postnatal growth and onset of puberty in the female offspring. Eighteen in-bred virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats aged between 10-12 weeks and weighing 125 +/- 5.5g (mean +/- SEM) with two consecutive regular 4-day estrus cycles were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 6 rats per group. One group had tap water (Control); another had 0.6g/100ml while the third group had 1.8g/100ml in their drinking water throughout lactation (21 days). Results showed that HS consumption during lactation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased maternal fluid and food intake, increased postnatal weight gain and delays the onset of puberty in the female offspring.

Effect in inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa on offspring's postnatal growth in Sprague-Dawley rats

"In folk medicine; extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) are used in the treatment of several complaints including high blood pressure; liver diseases and fever. To the best of our knowledge; no documented evidence exists on the effect of inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS on postnatal growth. The purpose of the present study; therefore; was to investigate this. Three groups of pregnant rats were used for this study. Group C had tap water while groups A and B had 0.6g and 1.8g HS extract respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy. All groups had normal rat chow ad libitum. On the day of birth; birth weights were recorded and two pups each from dams in groups A and B were substituted for 4 pups from dams in group C such that dams in group C had two pups each from groups A and B and at least two pups from its own litters to nurse. Thereafter; weights were recorded at 10days; 14days; 20days and 34 days postpartum.Results of the present study show a statistically significant (p0.05) growth reduction in groups A and B pups (exposed group) compared with group C (unexposed group) at 10 days through 20 days postpartum with no statistically significant growth reduction at 34 days postpartum. We conclude that inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS attenuates early postnatal growth in SD rats with a possible ""catch-up"" growth later in life."

Effect of Inutero Exposure to an Aqueous Extract of Hibicus Sabdariffa on Offspring's Postnatal Growth in Sprague-Dawley Rats

"In folk medicine; extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) are used in the treatment of several complaints including high blood pressure; liver diseases and fever. To the best of our knowledge; no documented evidence exists on the effect of inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS on postnatal growth. The purpose of the present study; therefore; was to investigate this. Three groups of pregnant rats were used for this study. Group C had tap water while groups A and B had 0.6g and 1.8g HS extract respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy. All groups had normal rat chow ad libitum. On the day of birth; birth weights were recorded and two pups each from dams in groups A and B were substituted for 4 pups from dams in group C such that dams in group C had two pups each from groups A and B and at least two pups from its own litters to nurse. Thereafter; weights were recorded at 10days; 14days; 20days and 34 days postpartum. Results of the present study show a statistically significant (p0.05) growth reduction in groups A and B pups (exposed group) compared with group C (unexposed group) at 10 days through 20 days postpartum with no statistically significant growth reduction at 34 days postpartum. We conclude that inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS attenuates early postnatal growth in SD rats with a possible ""catch-up"" growth later in life."

Fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in pregnant Nigerian women.

There are numerous reports of altered carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy. Normal pregnancy is sometimes characterised by mild fasting hypoglycaemia, postprandial hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Pregnancy has also been observed to be associated with a hypercholesterolaemic state in some individuals with pregnancy-induced hypertension. The aim of the present study was to assess the fasting plasma levels of glucose and cholesterol in pregnant Nigerian women, and to find out any differences from previously reported observations. Twenty pregnant consenting females were used for the study while twenty non-pregnant females were used as controls. Blood samples were taken from each subject after an overnight fast, and assayed for plasma glucose and cholesterol. Results obtained showed a decrease in fasting plasma glucose (from 3.96 mmo1/L to 3.12 mmo1/L) in early pregnancy (p < 0.05) but no change in late pregnancy. Plasma cholesterol was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in pregnant subjects (3.89 mmo1/L) than in the non-pregnant (2.40 mmo1/L), the increase being more appreciable in early pregnancy. These results are similar to data from non-African blacks and Caucasians.