Human growth hormone, a marker for HIV infection among adult Igbo Nigerians: relationship between human growth hormone and CD4+ count with viral load.

Routine viral load and CD4+ testing is key to monitoring the extent of danger caused by HIV and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV individuals, but its availability has been limited in low and middle-income countries. The study sort to ascertain relationship between serum Human Growth Hormone (HGH) gold standard with CD4 cells and viral load in HIV-infected patients. CD4+ T-cells, HIV viral load, and HGH were assayed in HIV- infected patients from May to December 2020. 460 subjects were engaged and separated into two groups: the HIV-infected untreated (Pre-ART) and the control groups. An interventional study was conducted for the Pre-Art group after six months. Serum HGH was assayed by the ELISA method, CD4 cell count was examined by BD-FACScan flow cytometer, and HIV viral load was assessed using RT-PCR. The CD4 count and serum HGH of Pre-ART HIV-infected subjects were significantly low (p<0.05), while the viral load was significantly high compared to those treated with ART for 6months (p<0.05). CD4 count and serum HGH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in females than in males. It also reveals that CD4 count correlates positively with HGH level (r= 0.191**). Serum HGH could serve as a surrogate marker and valuable index in monitoring HIV patients.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of peripheral artery disease in virologically suppressed HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy in Kwara state, Nigeria: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The association between HIV and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in several studies. However, there is paucity of information on the prevalence of subclinical disease as well as its associated risk factors in sub-Saharan African population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD) among virologically suppressed HIV-infected participants in Kwara State, Nigeria. METHODS: This study was conducted between July 2018 and December 2018. A total of 150 HIV-infected participants aged between 20 and 55 years and 50 HIV non-infected age-matched controls were randomly recruited in the study. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and clinical data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Ankle brachial index (ABI) was measured, PAD was defined as ABI of < 0.9. Cryopreserved serum was used to evaluate lipid profile parameters. Student's t-test and Chi-square were used to compare continuous and categorical variables. Associations of CVD risk factors and clinical data, and lipid profile with low ABI were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study participants had a mean age of 43.73 ± 8.74, majority were females (72.7%) with a mean duration on ART of 7.73 ± 3.52 years. Hypertension was present in 15.9%, diabetes 4%, family history of CVD 8.6% and metabolic syndrome 17.3% in the study group. The study participants recorded significantly lower mean values for ABI, HDL-C and significantly higher mean values of TG (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The prevalence of low ABI (14.6%) was higher in the study group compared to the control group (2%). A significantly negative correlation between ABI and duration on ART (r = - 0.163, P = 0.041) and a positive correlation between viral load and TG were observed in the study group. TC (OR 1.784, P = 0.011), LDL-C (OR 1.824, P = 0.010) and CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mm3 (OR 2.635, P = 0.364) were associated with low ABI in the participants. CONCLUSION: Viral suppression with combined antiretroviral therapy and long term treatment is associated with dyslipidaemia, with increased risk of PAD. Prevalence of PAD in virologically-suppressed individuals does not differ from the controls in the population studied.

Effects of methanolic extract of Brassica juncea seeds on biochemical parameters and histological integrity of the heart and liver of albino rats / Efectos del extracto metanólico de las semillas de Brassica juncea sobre los parámetros bioquímicos y la integridad histológica del corazón y el hígado de ratas albinas

SUMMARY: Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) seeds are consumed in treatment of high blood pressure, headache and prevention of heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of methanol extract of Brassica juncea seeds [BJME] on the heart and liver of adult Albino Wistar rats. A total of 24 albino rats of both sexes were divided into 6 groups [I - VI] of 4 rats per group. Groups I to IV received graded doses of the methanol extract by oral gavage while groups V and VI (controls) received 2 ml/kg body weight of 3 % Tween 80 and water respectively via oral gavage once daily. Treatment lasted for four weeks and the serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated. The animals were sacrificed and the heart and liver tissues were excised for further histological processing for light microscopy. There was significant increase in AST and ALT levels following BJME treatment when compared to the controls. ALP activity did not differ significantly among the treatment and control groups. Histopathological changes consistent with toxic injury were observed in the heart and liver tissues of BJME- treated rats. In conclusion, the results of this study show that sub-acute administration of methanol seed extract of Brassica juncea can exert cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic effects in rats.

RESUMEN: Las semillas de Brassica juncea (mostaza india) se consumen en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial, el dolor de cabeza y la prevención de enfermedades del corazón. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar los efectos del extracto de metanol de semillas de Brassica juncea [BJME] en el corazón y el hígado de ratas Albino Wistar adultas. Un total de 24 ratas albinas de ambos sexos se dividieron en 6 grupos [I - VI] de 4 ratas por grupo. Los grupos I a IV recibieron dosis del extracto de metanol por sonda oral progresivamente, mientras que los grupos V y VI (control) recibieron 2 ml / kg de peso corporal de 3 % de 80 y agua, respectivamente, por sonda oral una vez al día. El tratamiento duró cuatro semanas y se estimaronlos niveles séricos de aspartato transaminasa (AST), alanina transaminasa (ALT) y fosfatasa alcalina (ALP). Los animales se sacrificaron y fueron analizados los tejidos del corazón y el hígado, para un procesamiento histológico adicional con microscopía óptica. Hubo un aumento significativo en los niveles de AST y ALT después del tratamiento con BJME en comparación con los controles. La actividad de ALP no difirió significativamente entre los grupos de tratamiento y control. Se observaron cambios histopatológicos compatibles con lesiones tóxicas en los tejidos del corazón y el hígado de ratas tratadas con BJME. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio muestran que la administración subaguda de extracto de semilla de metanol de Brassica juncea puede ejercer efectos cardiotóxicos y hepatotóxicos en ratas.

Impact of Colocasia esculenta extract and fractions on high-fat diet-induced changes in body weight, adipose tissue and liver of rats.

The objective of the present study was to explore on the possible protective effects of the saponins and alkaloid-rich fractions of Colocasia esculenta L. Schott leaves on high-fat diet-induced changes in rats. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats were treated orally with 10mg/kg b.wt of saponin-rich fraction [SPF], 10mg/kg bw of alkaloid-rich fraction [ALF] and 400mg/kg bw of Crude aqueous extract of C. esculenta [CEAE] for 28 days. The effects of the treatments on body weight, wet white adipose (WAT) tissue, liver marker enzymes and liver histomorphology were studied. High-fat diet induced body weight gain and increased the serum levels of liver enzymes, cholesterol and triglycerides in rats. Increased body weight changes were observed in HFD-control while the alkaloid and CEAE treatments significantly decreased the weight gain of treated rats. Oral treatment with CEAE and fractions significantly decreased all the biochemical parameters (p<0.05) except cholesterol levels. Microscopical examination of the WAT showed decreased adipocyte sizes upon treatments with CEAE and fractions while the liver histoarchitecture showed a better preservation upon treatments with SPF and CEAE. The outcomes from the present study suggest that C. esculenta leaves significantly reduced fat accumulation in adipose tissues and ameliorated HFD-induced liver damage. The alkaloids and saponins present in the plant product may be the phytoconstituents responsible for the weight attenuating and hepatoprotection activities respectively.

Ahaptoglobinaemia in a Nigerian Cohort.

Ahaptoglobinaemia have been indicated in blacks from West Africa. Owing to the clinical and biologicimportance of haptoglobin (hpt), this work explores the situation in a Nigerian cohort since there are no published values ofhaptoglobin levels of individuals in this locality. The study was aimed at determining the amount of haptoglobin in the bloodof normal healthy Nigerians. Haptoglobin was quantitatively estimated in one hundred and fifty-two apparently healthyindividuals using highly sensitive immunoassay technology. Blood grouping and haemoglobin genotype were assayed forall subjects to know if they influence haptoglobin levels. The association between haptoglobin and blood group was alsoestablished. Serum levels of haptoglobin among all subjects analyzed revealed a marked decrease in their haptoglobin levelswhen compared to other reference intervals. A further association between haptoglobin and gender did not reveal a statisticalsignificant relationship (p>0.05). However, there was a significant different when haptoglobin levels of different bloodgroups and haemoglobin genotype when compared. Our data suggest that serum levels of haptoglobin are significantly lowerin healthy Nigerians. The lower limit was remarkably lower than the internationally acceptable Caucasian reference rangesuggesting a clear necessity for establishing reference African values.

Investigation into Hypoglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, and Renoprotective Potentials of Dennettia tripetala (Pepper Fruit) Seed in a Rat Model of Diabetes.

This study investigated the hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and renoprotective potentials of Dennettia tripetala (DT) in a rat model of diabetes. The hypoglycemic activity in crude methanol seed extract of DT (CMEDT) and methanol seed fraction of DT (MFDT) measured by glucose oxidase method was increased by 47.37% and 28.72%, respectively, after 8 hours of administration. After 10 days of treatment, CMEDT and MFDT gave a good glycemic control with the highest percentage reduction of 75.82% and 71.34% in glucose level, respectively, which is closely compared with 79.91% in glibenclamide. Using the enzymatic assay and Friedewald's equation, there was a significant reduction in serum level of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p < 0.05) following treatment with CMEDT and MFDT, when compared with the untreated group, although results varied in dosed groups, with high dose of MFDT showing a better lipid-lowering activity. High dose of MFDT improved lipid metabolism and increased percentage protection against atherogenesis by 44%. However, neither CMEDT nor MFDT ameliorated the renal biochemical alteration in urea and creatinine. Thus, the study demonstrates hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potentials of DT seed in diabetes.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Colocasia esculenta (L. Schott) leaves on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The hepatoprotective effect of orally administered leaf aqueous extract of Colocasia esculenta (CCLE) in thioacetamide-induced liver toxicity in rats was investigated in this study. Adult male Wistar rats (weight range: 120-150g) were divided into 5 groups (n=5) and received no treatment (normal control), distilled water (negative control), 50mg/kg silymarin (positive control) and CCLE (250 and 500mg/kg) respectively once daily for 3 consecutive days. Thioacetamide (TAA) (150mg/kg b.w.) was administered intraperitoneally on the 4th day to rats in all groups except the normal control. Evaluations were made for serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP) and serum albumin. Histopathological examination was performed on the excised liver tissues. TAA-induced hepatotoxicity increased ALT, AST, ALP and decreased serum albumin. Histopathological results revealed extensive disruption of the liver histoarchitecture when compared to the normal control liver sections. Pre-treatment with CCLE showed protective effects by normalizing the liver enzymes markers. These results were supported by the histopathological observations. The activity of the CCLE was comparable to that of the standard hepatoprotective drug, silymarin (50mg/kg). Overall findings suggest that CCLE possesses in vivo hepatoprotective activity against thioacetamide in rats.