The fasting of Ramadan is causing circadian rhythm and body composition changes. It has been described a decrease of certain parameters during this period. Thus, the objective of our study was to evaluate the recovery of these parameters after the fasting of Ramadan. An experimental study was carried out among 18 students of the National Institute of Sciences of Physical Education and Sport (INSEPS) in Dakar. They were all male, black, aged 21 to 30 years and regularly practiced fasting. Data were collected on the 15th day of Ramadan and 6 weeks after Ramadan. Anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the anthropometric parameters such as weight and size by Quetelet’s formula. The parameters of body composition such as percentages of body fat, muscle mass and visceral fat were measured by an impedance meter (OMRON BF 511). Then, they allowed us to calculate percentage of fat free mass, fat free mass index (FFMI) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI). No significant difference was found for cardiovascular parameters between the two periods. However, certain parameters such as weight, BMI, fat mass, fat free mass and FFMI increased significantly six weeks after Ramadan. A strong trend of increasing was found in the percentage of fat mass (p = 0.05), while the percentage of muscle mass slightly tended to decrease after Ramadan. The principal component analysis showed that the percentages of body fat, fat free mass and muscle mass as well as fat mass were the most contributory parameters of the body composition in both times. The fasting of Ramadan causes transient changes in body composition. Long-term changes in certain parameters such as fat mass were necessary for a real effect on health. The association of Ramadan fasting with that of Sunnah would be necessary to obtain this benefit.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and Angiotensin II (Ang II) play important roles in generatinghypertension. The present work was investigated the hemodynamic and renal effects ofboth ET-1 and Ang II on 2K1C rats. The design of this study included five groups of rats:Group 1 Sham rats, Group 2 Normotensive rats (2K1C(n)), Group 3 two kidney one cliphypertensive rats (2K1C(h)), Group 4 two kidney one clip hypertensive rats + Bosentan(2K1C(h) + Bosentan), and Group 5 two kidney one clip hypertensive rats + Losartan(2K1C(h) + Losartan). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly elevated in 2K1C(h)rats from third to sixth week after surgery compared with control rats. SBP significantlyfell in bosentan and losartan treated rats. Serum nitric oxide (NO) level in hypertensiverats was slightly decreased, whereas in losartan group it was significantly increased.Serum malonaldehyde (MDA) significantly increased in bosentan treated rats ascompared to hypertensive rats. Bosentan administration caused a markedly increased inNa+excretion rate compared with 2K1C(h) rats in week four after surgery. In conclusion,losartan is more potent than bosentan in reducing hypertension via elevation of serumNO level.
Objective: Alcohol affects the auditory threshold, processing of tones and frequency change at different levels of auditory processing system.1 ABR is the sensitive tool for identifying the various changes in auditory processing unit. Material and Methods: A total of 52 subjects were divided in group 1 with 26 non-alcoholics males and Group 2 (in lower case) with 26 alcoholic males. Chronic alcoholics who were taking alcohol for more than 8 years (300ml/day) without the history of any neurological and audiological problem and none of them were taking any medication that was oto-toxic were included in our study. Brainstem auditory evoked potential was performed on these subjects and results were analyzed statistically. Results: There was a significant increase in latency of wave V in alcoholics (5.678 ± 0.2271 ms) as compare to non-alcoholics (5.874 ± 0.2969 ms). (p = 0.0102) The mean value of inter peak latency for I-V in group -1 (non-alcoholics) was 3.88 ± 0.26 ms and in group 2 (alcoholics) was 4.19 ± 0.42 ms which showed a statistically significant increase in group 2. (p =0.0020). There was also a statistically significant increase in inter peak latency for III-V in group 2 (2.495 ± 0.389 ms) as compared to group 1 (2.228 ± 0.35 ms). (p= 0.0119) but there was no significant result noted for changes in other waveform pattern and inter peak latency I-III.
Our study’s aim is to assess the impact of the combination of tobacco and chemical products (chlorine, sulphuric acid (sulphur)) on pulmonary function using the spirometry. Subjects selected were divided on 4 groups according to their smoking status and/or the exposition on chemical products. Parameters studied were: Slow Vital Capacity (SVC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/VC (Tiffeneau), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). Ventilatory disorders were assessed in each group and comparison between groups was done. The comparative study of spirometry’s subjects who aren’t exposed on chemical products (G1vsG2), revealed that smokers (G2) had a VEMS more significantly low than the predicted standard value (P=0,003). When we compare nonsmokers (G1vsG3), exposed subjects showed a significant predominance of ventilatory disorders with CVL, VEMS and DEP weaker p=0,034(CVL), p=0,045(VEMS), p<0,001(DEP)). Among the smokers, we observed at chemical addicts, a significant reduction of CV (P=0,001(CVL); P<0,001(CVF)). Chemical addicts compared to tobacco addicts, presented a significant pre-eminence of ventilatory disorders (p=0,03(CVL), p=0,037(CVF), p=0,021(DEP)). Comparison between co-addicts(G4) and new subjects(G1), showed a variation rate more significantly low about CVL(P<0,001), CVF (P=0,003) and VEMS (P=0,021). Besides, the study of 12 co-addicts successive spirometries, on an average time of 3 years, showed in 80% of case, an evolution to ventilatory disorder. Moreover, subjects exposed on chlorine, compared with the ones exposed on sulphur, presented more ventilatory disorders (P<0,001). Then the chronic exposition on chemical products, tobacco impregnation constitutes a worsening factor of ventilatory disorders. Chlorine would be more toxic than sulphur.
Prized for its many therapeutic virtues, Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) is a rubiaceae whose roots alone or in combination with the leaves are used in the treatment of infertility and genital diseases. In the search for mechanisms of action of natural substances, uterotrophic bioassay is essential and frequently used. Thus, ovariectomized impubere female rats received during 7 days, 250; 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaves extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius and 0, 02 mg/kg body weight (BW) ethinyl estradiol. Variation in animal body weight, vaginal opening, uterine horns, cervix and adrenal glands weights, as well as serum levels of proteins, cholesterol and glucose were assessed. Treatment of the animals at the different doses of extract produced no significant (p> 0.05) change in the parameters studied. Only the dose of 1000 mg / kg body weight extract induced a significant (p <0.001) vaginal opening. Administration of ethinyl estradiol to ovariectomized female rats resulted in a significant (p <0.001) reduction in body weight variation, serum protein and cholesterol levels, as well as a significant increase (p <0.001) in the vaginal opening, the uterine horns and cervix weights, and serum glucose. Similarly, the combination of ethinyl estradiol with the different doses of Sarcocephalus latifolius extract produced the same significant effects (p <0.001) as previously mentioned in the treated female rats compared to the controls. However, only the variation in body weight, vaginal opening and serum cholesterol levels in these animals decreased significantly (p <0.05, p <0.01 and p <0.001) with regard to those treated with ethinyl estradiol. These results would assume that the aqueous extract of leaves of Sarcocephalus latifolius would possess estrogen-like properties or would act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Crinum jagus is used in Cameroon against poison and in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This work was undertaken to evaluate the antidiarrheal activities, The antimicrobial effect was assayed by disc diffusion and agar dilution methods (on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella choleresus, Shigella dysenteriae A1, Candida albicans) and the cytotoxicity, of its water, ethanol and water/ethanol extracts, as well as its flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins fractions. To induce diarrhea, rats received castor oil 30 minutes after one single dose of the plant extract or fraction. The antimicrobial effect was assayed by the disc diffusion and the agar dilution methods, and the cytotoxicity assay performed on LLC-MK2 monkey kidney cells. Tested samples significantly (p 500 µg/mL. Thus, Crinum jagus might possess antimicrobial and antidiarrheal activities and so could be safely used for diarrhea treatment.
Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) is a plant belonging to the family Rutaceae. It is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and volatile oil. Medical risk rises progressively with increasing obesity beginning with overweight. More than 80% of death estimates associated with obesity occurs with patients with BMI of at least 30kg/m2. This research is aimed at evaluating the anti-obesity effect of Citrus aurantium on wistar albino rats fed with formulated fatty diet. Twenty five albino rats were divided into 5 groups of five (5) rats each. Group 1 received growers mash and normal saline, group 2 received formulated diet and normal saline, group 3 received formulated diet and 500mg/kg body weight of C. aurantium extract once per day, group 4 received formulated diet and 1000mg/kg body weight of C. aurantium extract once per day, groups 5 formulated diet and 1000mg/kg body weight of niacin once per day for twenty five (25) days. There were significant decreases in the concentration levels of cholesterol (128.15±4.3, 108.12±7.9), triglyceride (40.05±14.0, 21.91±2.2) and LDL (69.95±7.4, 39.1±14) in a dose dependant manner in rats in groups 3 and 4 respectively when compared with the negative control. Glucose concentration level in group 4 (46.67±1.1) decreased significantly when compared with the negative control. There was constant decrease of weight of rats in groups 3,4 and 5 on day(s) 8, 16 and 24 but was not significant except in day 24 of group5 (130.94±23.12) when compared with day 1 (181.47±23.34). This shows that extract of Citrus aurantium confers hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects to the treated rats.
Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) is the benign condition of sickle cell disease. Often asymptomatic, the SCT carriers have hemorheological disturbances such as blood hyper-viscosity compared to healthy subjects. These disturbances could lead to structural and functional changes in large vessels. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between blood viscosity (ηb) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in SCT carriers.Methods: Thirteen SCT with high blood viscosity (SCT_hηb) aged 34±12 years (4 men) were compared to 13 SCT with low blood viscosity (SCT_lηb) aged 32±9 years (5 men) recruited from the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) in Dakar (Senegal). Pulse wave velocity finger-toe (PWVft) was assessed using pOpmètre® (Axelife SAS-France). Cardiovascular risk (CVR) was assessed according to the Framingham Laurier score.Results: SCT_hηb had higher PWVft (m/s) than SCT_lηb respectively 8.98±1.98 and 7.11±1.18 (p = 0.004). CVR score (%) was higher in SCT_hηb than SCT_lηb, but this difference was not statistically significant (5.96±7.45 vs 2.09±2.15; p=0.31). Multivariate linear regression showed a positive correlation between PWVft and ηb and CVR score (r2=0.74, F=21.19, p˂0.001).Conclusions: Present results indicate that the SCT_hηb carriers have arteries stiffer than SCT_lηb and ηb and CVR could remain independent determinants of arterial stiffness in SCT carriers.
The aim of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of hydro-ethanol bark extract of Adansonia digitata (ADE) in porcine coronary arteries and to revealed mechanism of this effect. ADE has produced 100 % relaxation at 100 µg/ml dose in endothelium intact arteries pre-contracted by U46619. This effect was abolished by mechanical removal of endothelium. Different inhibitors were used to investigate the mechanism of vasorelaxation. L-nitro-arginin (L-NA) an inhibitor of endothelial NO synthase; MnTMPyP, an inhibitor of intracellular production reactive oxygen species and Wortmannin, an inhibitor of redox-sensitive pathway PI3 kinase/Akt Src has significantly reduced vasorelaxant effect of ADE whereas indomethacin (INDO), cyclooxygenase inhibitor; the apamin (APA) an inhibitor of small conductance potassium channels calcium-dependent (SKCa) and TRAM an inhibitor of intermediary conductance potassium channels calcium-dependent (IKCa) have no effect on vasorelaxation produced by ADE. Bradykinin was used to verify the presence of a functional endothelium. The results have shown that the ADE induces a redox-sensitive endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by NO whereas prostacyclins and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF) have not appeared to play a role in the vascular effects. Hence, Adansonia digitata induces vasodilation which explain its antihypertensive effect and its use in traditional African medicine.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are the most sensitive and reproducible measure of peripheral nerve functions. These can define and quantitate normal nerve activity. These tests examine the state of rapidly conducting myelinated fibres in a peripheral nerve. Most of the nerve dysfunctions begin in the sensory nerves of the lower extremities. So measurement of sensory function in the lower limb nerves by electrical stimulation is investigational in diabetics. The sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and sensory latency (SNSL) of sural nerve provides the highest diagnostic sensitivity. Evaluation of sural nerve conduction velocity in prediabetic and diabetic to assess neuropathy. Examination of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was done in 79 subjects (16 prediabetic and 63 diabetics) by using Synergy machine Viasys. Right and left sural nerve latency were significantly higher and sural nerve velocity were significantly lower in diabetics when compared to prediabetics but in both nerve amplitudes did not differed significantly. Increased Sural nerve latency indicates increased demyelination and decreased sural velocity shows decreased speed of nerve impulse in diabetics when compared to prediabetics indicating progressive neuropathy in diabetics.
The study explores the women portrayal in sexual roles influential by TV and its entertainment programs. Current research has also been formulated to examine the presentation of women in powerful, independent and successful roles are perceived as more as adoption of different styles and accessories. A detailed questionnaire was prepared to collect and document perceptions of the female viewers through a sample of 360 viewers of television entertainment programs. The findings reveal that female viewers take keen interest in dramas, music shows and award shows. Among entertainment programs, dramas are the prime choice of viewers. Consequently, viewers get influenced from the women models and actresses in the adoption of dressing, hair styles and make up. Moreover, findings reveal that the viewers considered the portrayal of women models and TV actresses in contradiction to the religious norms. However, the portrayal of women models and TV actresses seems to be equated with the cultural norms. Resultantly, viewers perceive the portrayal of women models and TV actresses more appealing in the successful roles than that of sexual roles.
The objective of this study was to determine linseed oil’s effect on oxidative stress parameters and lipid profile in three generations of offspring of obese rats. The initial age of the female rats is two months and of a weight of 100 ± 10 g were fed for two months with a control diet or a cafeteria diet, fortified or not with linseed oil (5%). At the end of this period the female rats are coupled by male rats. After parturition, one third of newborns in each group were scarified. During lactation the mothers continued to follow the same diet as pregnancy. After weaning, the offspring continue to follow the same diet as the mothers. In 30 days after birth the second third in each group of offspring were scarified and the last third in each group were scarified in 90 days after birth. The blood was drawn for determine biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and oxidative stress markers (carbonyl proteins, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and vitamin C). The offspring of the group which was fed a cafeteria diet showed hyperlipidemia, an imbalance of blood glucose and a high oxidative stress. The addition of linseed oil to cafeteria diet has corrected these complications. In conclusion, Linseed oil in rats during pregnancy has shown beneficial effects in the prevention of obesity and these metabolic disorders and has struggled against oxidative stress in the offspring.
The aim of this study was to compare heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate variability (HRV) between young healthy individuals from Western Europe, West Africa, Arabic countries, South Asia of similar body mass index (BMI), age, social-economic status in the setting of orthostatic stressor. A total of 294 students were recruited. HRV was recorded and analyzed by the frequency-domain method in both supine and upright positions. It was found that high frequency power (HF) is a main contributor into racial differences in upright HR between African and Caucasian men, while low frequency power (LF) is a main contributor into sex differences in upright HR between African men and African women. The sex differences in the mean blood pressure were found between Caucasian, Arabic, and Indian, but not between African students. Attenuated HF response to orthostasis in Arabic and African men and enhanced blood pressure response in Arabic men may be considered as a sign of a predisposition to hypertension. Indians had low PP advantage in supine position only. The blood pressure regulation strategies were found different between ethnicities/races and genders.
Aim: This study was designed to examine the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry unit, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria between November, 2013 and April, 2014. Methodology: Thirty six rats divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each were used for the investigation. Group 1 served as control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were pre-treated with aqueous extract of the fruit of X. aethiopica at the respective dose of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 21 days prior to a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4. Animals in group 5 received only the fruit extract at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight, while those in group 6 were given only CCl4. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after the administration of CCl4. Liver functions Original Research Article Adewale and Orhue; EJMP, 9(4): 1-10, 2015; Article no.EJMP.18927 2 was assessed by measuring the plasma levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total protein and albumin. Plasma lipid profile and the degree of lipid peroxidation in the liver were determined in addition to histopathological evaluations. Results: Whereas CCl4 administration resulted in significant elevations in plasma ALT, AST, and ALP, there was a significant reduction in both plasma total protein and albumin. In addition, histopathological changes were observed with CCl4. Analysis of the data obtained for MDA, SOD and catalase suggest that the plant extract exerts its protective effect probably by inhibiting CCl4induced lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. Conclusion: It can be suggested that X. aethiopica fruits has the ability to offer a significant degree of protection to liver cells against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats by antioxidant mechanism of action.
