Papain and Fucoidan are extracted enzymes that have gained recognition across food industry, pharmaceutical and digestive applications, but their comparative effects on Biliary flow rate and electrolytes are not known. Hence, this study compared the effects of papain and fucoidan on Biliary flow rate and electrolytes. Twenty (20) male albino Wistar rats weighing between 100g and 150g were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each as follows: Group I (Control group) were administered normal saline and had access to food and water ad libitum. Group II (Papain group) were administered with 800mg/kg body weight of the stock solution of papain and were allowed free access to food and water. Group III (Fucoidan group) was given 800mg/kg body weight of the stock solution of fucoidan plus food and water. Group IV (Metoclopramide group) was administered with 30mg/kg body weight of Metoclopramide stock solution plus food and water ad libitum. The administration lasted for a duration of 28 days. Bile was collected from the liver (hepatic duct) and was analyzed for bile flow rate and its composition. The results showed that papain significantly increased biliary sodium and chloride, reduced bicarbonate levels, and had no significant effect on bile flow rate compared to the control group. Fucoidan significant effect on Biliary sodium, chloride and bile flow rate when compared to the control group. These results conclude that the two compounds have regulatory, but not stimulatory effects on biliary secretion, which proves their hepatoprotective and stabilising effects. Keywords: fucoidan, Papain, bile flow rate, biliary electrolyte. Short running title: Modulation of Fucoidan and Papain on Biliary Parameter.
Despite evidence suggesting that Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces tryptophan depletion, microbiota dysbiosis and ultimately immune dysfunction, no data exist on serum levels of tryptophan and microbiota-metabolite (indole proprionic acid, IPA) in Nigerian TB patients. This study determined anthropo-nutritional status [Body Mass Index(BMI), Mid-Upper Arm Circumference(MUAC), Waist Circumference(WC), Hip Circumference(HC)], and Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire(SNAQ) scores, serum albumin, tryptophan and IPA in Nigerian PTB patients using questionnaire and ELISA as appropriate. Higher prevalence of DS-TB(92%) than MDR-TB(19%) or control(4%) showed appetite loss with a clinically meaningful risk of 5% weight loss within six months. The BMI, MUAC, WC, HC and SNAQ scores were significantly reduced in DS-TB patients or MDR-TB patients compared with control. The MUAC, WC, HC and SNAQ scores were significantly reduced in DS-TB patients compared with MDR-TB patients. The serum levels of albumin were not significantly reduced while the levels of IPA were not significantly increased in DS-TB patients or MDR-TB patients compared with control. The serum levels of tryptophan were significantly increased in DS-TB patients or MDR-TB patients compared with control. Our findings revealed a need for tryptophan-based management for PTB patients and that PTB is an infectious, metabolic and nutritional disease.
The current study was designed to investigate the outcome of alcohol herbal beverages and ethanol consumption in high-fat diet-induced cardiometabolic syndrome (indices) in rats. The study consists of eight groups of 10 rats per cage. Groups 1-4 were fed a standard normal diet while groups 5-8 were initially fed on HFD for 3 weeks prior to alcohol herbal beverage (AHB), ethanol (EtOH) administration and then continually for 6 weeks. Our result showed that rats fed with HFD showed significant increase in weight gain, relative adipose weight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin and insulin resistance, dramatically increased TNF-a, IL-6, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, total cholesterol and decrease superoxide dismutase, reduce glutathione, catalase in the liver and heart tissue. Meanwhile, alcohol herbal beverage (AHB), and ethanol (EtOH) administration alongside ND or HFD feeding showed similar effects and also indicated histopathology alteration. In conclusion, alcoholic herbal beverages and ethanol consumption in normal or high-fat diet feeding may cause impaired glucose tolerance, lipogenesis, elevated insulin level, insulin resistance, liver and heart tissue structural damage marked by elevated oxido-nitrosative stress, and inflammation.
Rodents have provided insight to specific aspects of neural organization including morphology, function, development, and evolution in mammalian species. The superior colliculus (SC) also referred to as rostral colliculus has been studied in several mammals, including nonhuman primates. The SC has been considered a visual motor integration center of the CNS. Under-explored species such as the African Grasscutter (AGC), a semi nocturnal rodent species, exhibits peculiar SC-regulated behaviors in the wild including arrest and freezing abilities in response to predators. This study morphologically assessed differences in the SC of adult and juvenile AGCs. Six AGCs (adult/ juvenile, n= 3) were procured for this study. Brains were harvested and morphologic characteristics including histology, histometry (pyramidal soma size and perimeter) and cell distribution in the SC of AGCs were assessed and quantified. Data obtained were analyzed using GraphPad Prism and computer running imaging software (AmScope and ImageJ, USA). Comparison of morphologic characteristics of SC revealed similarities and variations between the AGCs age groups: SC presented with similar histoarchitectural organization; pyramidal cell soma characteristics and cell distribution showed a significant (p<0.05) difference between the AGCs with higher mean value in the juvenile. This study has demonstrated a basic histoarchitectural organization of the superior colliculus in adult and juvenile African Grasscutter; thus, points to conserved architectural organization across rodent species. Observed differences could be attributed to variations in cellular functionality with response to developmental neurogenesis and synaptic refinement between the rodents. Findings are of potential benefit in understanding neurodevelopmental variations that influence functional capabilities across different age group.
Chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted from mobile phones has raised concerns regarding its potential biological effects on the central nervous system. The present study investigated whether prolonged RF-EMR exposure induces oxidative, neuroendocrine, and neuronal stress in rats, and whether Vitamin E supplementation offers protective effects. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control, RF-EMR-exposed, RF-EMR plus Vitamin E-treated, and vehicle control groups. Animals were exposed to mobile phone-emitted RF-EMR (0.9/1.8 GHz) for 1 hour/day over 50 days and supplemented with Vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight, orally through oral gavage needle). Feed intake and body weight were recorded, while serum malondialdehyde (MDA), corticosterone, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were assessed as markers of oxidative stress, neuroendocrine stress, and neuronal injury, respectively. Hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was also evaluated. Compared with control rats, RF-EMR exposure did not significantly alter feed intake or body weight; however, serum MDA, corticosterone, and NSE levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Vitamin E supplementation significantly attenuated these biochemical alterations compared with the RF-EMR group (p < 0.05). GFAP expression in the hippocampal CA3 region showed no significant differences among groups. These findings suggest that chronic RF-EMR exposure induces biochemical and neuronal stress prior to overt behavioral changes, and that Vitamin E provides effective antioxidant and neuroprotective benefits.
