Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences最新文献

Diabetes problems are more likely to occur in people with low vitamin D levels. In this study, Sudanese individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had their serum glucose, HbA1c, vitamin D, and inflammatory markers assessed. Thirty men and thirty women who had been diagnosed with T2DM for at least two years were among the 120 participants of both sexes, ages 35 to 69, who were enrolled in this case-control study. As a control group, the second group consisted of sixty healthy individuals (30 men and 30 women). Every participant had a thorough medical history taken, with special attention to the length of their diabetes, its medical history, and any previous problems. During the clinical examination and laboratory tests, the following criteria were evaluated: total WBC, ESR, CRP, HbA1c, and serum vitamin D3. When 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels were utilized to assess T2DM patients, they showed significantly lower mean blood concentrations than controls: 23 (38.3%) had vitamin D insufficiency, 23 (38.3%) had vitamin D deficiency, and 14 (23.3%) had sufficient vitamin D. Vitamin D-deficient patients had significant increases in HbA1c, glucose, CRP, and total WBC. Additionally, when comparing the mean ESR values of diabetes patients to those of the control group, there is a statistically significant rise. ESR did not significantly alter depending on the controlling level. Males also had a numerically higher level of vitamin D3 than females. Compared to healthy normal controls, individuals with type 2 diabetes have noticeably reduced vitamin D3 levels. Furthermore, in T2DM patients, there was a connection between elevated inflammatory markers and HbA1c and insufficiency in vitamin D.

Ageing is associated with neurological disorders that are characterized by cognitive impairment. Reports have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Similarly, chronic inflammation-associated with ageing plays important roles in immunosenescence. However, there is the dearth of information on age-related changes in BDNF level and inflammation. This study was thus, designed to determine cognition, plasma levels of BDNF and selected indices of inflammation in adults at different decades of life. Eighty-eight adults sub-divided into 4 groups; Group I (30 - 39 years), Group II (40 - 49 years), Group III (50 - 59 years) and Group IV (≥60 years) were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Plasma levels of BDNF and nitric oxide (NO) were determined using ELISA and spectrophotometry. White blood cell count and differentials were done using standard methods and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated appropriately. There was significant progressive reduction in cognitive score and plasma levels of BDNF as decades of life increase. The neurocognitive scores were significantly higher in Group I, Group II, and Group III compared with Group IV. Similarly, the median plasma level of BDNF was significantly higher in Group I compared with Groups III and IV. Also, the mean mixed count was significantly higher in Group IV compared with Group I while the mean plasma level of NO was significantly higher in Groups II and III compared with Group I. Regression analysis showed that age negatively related with cognition (R2 = 0.522, p = 0.000) and BDNF level (R2 = 0.095, p = 0.003). Furthermore, BDNF had significant positive correlation with the neurocognitive score in Group I. There is progressive reduction in plasma BDNF level and cognitive score with increasing decades of life. This may indicate that plasma BDNF level could predict susceptibility to neurocognitive dysfunction as ageing progresses.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenemia, irregular menstrual cycle, and small cysts on the ovaries. This condition can be morphological or biochemical (elevated testosterone). Elevated testosterone (hyperandrogenemia) is the hallmark of PCOS, which can inhibit follicular development, anovulation, or cause irregular menstrual changes. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, and available treatment options are restricted to mitigating its symptoms. This study was, however, designed to investigate the synergistic effect of clomiphene (CLO) and carvedilol (CAL) on PCOS-induced female infertility. Thirty female Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups (n= 6/group) control, PCOS, PCOS+ CLO, PCOS+CAL, and PCOS+ CLO+CAL. The administration was once daily via the oral route and lasted for 15 days. Clomiphene and carvedilol synergistically ameliorated PCOS-induced elevated serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and prolactin, and decreased follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and progesterone. This was accompanied by the downregulation of PCOS-induced overexpression of ovarian LH, androgen, and FSH receptors. It was also accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory markers such as ovarian interleukin 1 beta and Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and apoptosis markers such as ovarian caspase 3 and an increase in ovarian Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO 1 or HMO-1), catalase and glutathione reductase. This study shows that carvedilol and clomiphene combination therapy alleviates inflammation and redox imbalance in experimental PCOS.

The development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes is preceded by the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) which are often induced by high-carbohydrate high-fat diet (HCHFD) together with sedentary lifestyle. These risk factors are associated with vascular dysfunction. Our previous study has shown that ursolic acid (UA) prevents the development of these risk factors of MS induced by HCHFD, but the potential mechanism involved in the amelioration of vascular dysfunction induced by HCHFD has not been explained. This study investigated the mechanism by which dietary UA supplementation improves vascular dysfunction and the corresponding vascular oxidative stress in male Wistar rats fed a HCHFD. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =5): 1- normal diet (ND) + distilled water (DW); 2 - ND+UA; 3 - HCHFD+DW; 4 - HCHFD+UA. HCHFD was formulated in-house. The animals were fed their respective diets daily for 20 weeks. The drinking water of animals fed a HCHFD was augmented with 20% fructose. 250 mg/kg body weight of ursolic acid was administered orally to UA-treated groups for the last 8 weeks of the study. Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference were evaluated; serum insulin and nitric oxide were assessed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits; and insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Aortic antioxidant enzymes and reactive oxygen species were evaluated. Aorta and adipose tissues' endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. There was a significantly (P<0.05) lowered BMI percentage increase in the HCHFD+UA-fed animals compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. In the HCHFD+UA-fed animals, serum insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. Serum nitric oxide was significantly (P<0.05) increased in HCHFD+UA-fed animals compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. In HCHFD+UA-fed animals, aorta superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione were significantly (P<0.05) increased, compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. Aorta reactive oxygen species was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in HCHFD+UA-fed animals compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. Both aorta and adipose tissue eNOS mRNA level was significantly (P<0.05) more expressed in the HCHFD+UA-fed animals compared to the HCHFD+DW-fed animals. Findings from this study showed that ursolic acid supplementation ameliorates vascular dysfunction by upregulating eNOS gene in male Wistar rats with high-carbohydrate high-fat diet (HCHFD)-induced metabolic syndrome.

Piperaceae includes Peperomia pellucida. It has been eaten and used to treat illnesses. This study tested the anti-arthritis activity of a 70% methanol extract of Peperomia pellucida. A complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis animal model was used. Oral distilled water (10 ml/kg) did not cause arthritis in Group 1. In groups 2-4, arthritis was induced and treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of a 70% methanol extract of Peperomia pellucida. Group 5 received oral methotrexate (0.7 mg/kg) for arthritis pain. Group 6 received distilled water (10 ml/kg) for arthritis and was untreated. All inflamed animals' paw diameters, organ-to-body weight ratio, percentage change in body weight, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haematological indices, biochemical parameters, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were measured. Additionally, joint and organ histopathology were examined. The 70% methanol extract of Peperonia pellucida significantly reduced arthritis inflammation diameter (***p<0.001) compared to arthritis control. The weight change in extract-treated animals was not significant (p > 0.5) compared to healthy controls. Compared to the healthy control group, animals treated with the extract had no significant change (p > 0.5) in hematological and biochemical parameters. The extract and standard drug significantly reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (**p<0.01) compared to the arthritis control group. The extract increased superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in arthritis animals (**p<0.01) compared to controls. Bone damage was significantly reduced in extract-treated animals compared to arthritis controls. 70% methanol extract of Peperomia pellucida increased endogenous superoxide dismutase and possessed anti-arthritis activity.

Although the liver is not a primary hematopoietic site after the period of embryogenesis, however liver diseases in human can have adverse effects on hematopoiesis. This study evaluated the ability of Vitex angus-castus extract to ameliorate hematopoietic alteration occasioned by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury. Varying doses of V. angus-castus plant extract were administered to groups of rats with CCl4 Induced acute liver injury. The low dose group (LEL) had 200mg/Kg body weight; the medium dose (MEL) had 400 mg/kg while the high dose group (HEL) had 600 mg/Kg of the extract once daily for 21 days. Each group had composite control without liver injury ie LE, ME and HE. The packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb%), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were similar across the groups. Groups LEL and ME had significantly elevated white blood cell count (WBC). Amongst the composite groups ie LE: LEL; ME:MEL; & HE:HEL, there was significant difference within the composite group. The WBC differential was lymphocyte predominant without significant difference. The two low extract groups (LE & LEL) had significant thrombocytopenia ie low platelet count. The ethanolic extract of V. angus-castus only affects the white cell and platelet components of the blood and not the erythrocyte parameters.

The present study evaluates the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) among second-year medical students during a physiology practical session at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Baze University, Abuja. Conducted by the Department of Human Physiology's Laboratory Manual (Exp. 25, Pp. 90), the study involved 20 students (10 males and 10 females) aged 17-25 years. Participants voluntarily engaged in the practical following a 30-minute pre-lab demonstration. Anthropometric measurements, including standing height (in cm) and weight (in kg), were taken, and PEFR was measured in liters/minute using a Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter. Measurements were conducted in triplicate, with the highest value recorded. Descriptive analyses were expressed as mean ± standard deviations (SDs), and data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and boxplot. An unpaired sample t-test was performed to compare anthropometric and physiological variables between genders; with data analysis conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 27.0). Results indicated that PEFR was significantly higher in males than females (P < 0.001), independent of height, weight, and BMI. Additionally, a significant inverse correlation between PEFR and BMI was observed in males (r = ‒0.67, P < 0.05), whereas no significant correlation was found in females. This study underscores the gender differences in PEFR among medical students and highlights the influence of BMI on PEFR in males. These findings contribute to a better understanding of respiratory physiology in young adults and emphasize the importance of considering gender-specific factors in respiratory assessments.

Introduction Electrocardiogram (ECG) is important for non-invasive cardiovascular health assessment. This study was carried out to determine the mean values, normal limits and sex differences of selected electrocardiographic variables in young adults of Yoruba ethnicity. Method One thousand apparently healthy volunteers (500 males and 500 females) aged 18 to 40 years participated in the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute of Public Health of the University. Standard 12-lead resting ECG of each participant was obtained according to standard protocol After a period of rest of 5 minutes, the chest and extremities of each participant were exposed for limb and chest electrodes placement. The ECG printouts were analyzed. Descriptive variables were expressed as means± standard deviation. The lower and upper limits were determined using 5th and 95th percentile respectively. The comparison of the mean values of the male and female variables was done using the Student t-test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The results showed that the mean heart rate, QT interval, QTc interval, QRS duration, PR interval were 70.56 ± 10.99 bpm, 0.36 ± 0.03 s, 0.38 ± 0.03 s, 0.07 ± 0.01 s and 0.16 ± 0.02 s, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the heart rate, QTc and QRS duration of males and females. Conclusion Among young adults of Yoruba ethnicity, sex differences exist with regard to heart rate, QT interval, QTc and QRS duration and these should be taken into consideration in ECG interpretation.

Coronary heart disease (CAD), respiratory disease, and early-onset renal failure, which until recently were only common in high-income countries, are now the dominant source of morbidity and mortality among young Nigerian adults. However, epidemiological studies have suggested the possibility of high dietary salt intake and physical inactivity as behavioral factors that may be responsible for these growing trend. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of elevated salt intake and physical activity and inactivity on the pulmonary function, cardiovascular, and renal function of young Nigerian men.

Methods and materials: A total of 20 subjects, comprising 10 non-exercising young men (control) and 10 exercising young men, participated in the study after obtaining an approval from the ethical committee of the animal and human research bioethics department. Lung function, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, urine volume, urine pH, and urine Na+ and K+ concentration were measured under resting conditions before and after five days of 200mmol of salt loads in both groups. The data was analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software package Version 19. The unpaired t-test was used to calculate the P-value across the groups. The paired t-test was used to calculate the p-value within the groups. Statistical significance was reached when P < 0.05.

Results: Salt loading had no significant effect on the pulmonary function of the control subjects. However, salt loading worsened the pulmonary function values of the exercising subjects, with FEV1, FVC, and PEFR decreased significantly by -0.05 ± 0.05 L, -0.003 ± 0.01 L, and -20.20 ± 7.11 L/min, respectively, without affecting oxygen saturation (SPO2) and FEV1%. Salt loading caused a greater increase in the blood pressure parameters of the non-exercising subjects, with systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure significantly increased by 18.00 ± 2.04 mmHg, 11.90 ± 1.52 mmHg, 13.97 ± 1.98 mmHg, and 6.20 ± 0.24 mmHg, respectively. In summary, exercising subjects eliminate salt loads more effectively than the non-exercising subjects to reduce salt retention. This might be as a result of the trigger of several pathophysiological mechanisms that alter vital body functions such as respiratory function, renal function, and cardiovascular functions.

Cognitive impairment is largely associated with functional and structural loss in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) models, and scopolamine has been successfully used to mimic these deficits in rodents. The cost and side effects of drugs presently used for the treatment of AD-related cognitive impairment have prompted research into alternative products, especially natural ones with high antioxidant capacity, since oxidative stress is a major pathophysiology associated with AD. The current study evaluated the cognitive and neuroprotective effects of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in rats. Thirty-five male rats, randomly divided into seven groups (n = 5), were used. Group 1 served as the control and received distilled water. Groups 2 and 3 received Vernonia amygdalina, VA (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) per orally (p.o.). Group 4 received 1 mg/kg scopolamine SC (i.p.). Groups 5, 6, and 7 received pretreatment with either VA 50 mg/kg, VA 100 mg/kg, or Donepezil, DP (1 mg/kg), and then in combination with SC (1 mg/kg). The animals were subjected to memory tasks using the Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition tasks (NORT) and sacrificed on day 14, after which their brains were isolated for biochemical and histological studies. The study showed that during MWM and NORT, spatial and non-spatial recognition memories, which were respectively impaired in the SC group compared to the control group, were reversed in the VA pretreatment groups. Scopolamine injection caused significant decreases in superoxide dismutase and catalase levels and an increase in malonaldehyde (MDA) levels in group 4 compared with the control group. Pretreatments with either VA or DP, however, caused a significant increase in the SOD and catalase levels and a decrease in the MDA level compared with the SC group. Histological studies revealed that VA was more potent in protecting the brain against SC-induced neurodegeneration and morphological alterations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Findings of this study suggest that VA attenuates scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits via inhibition of oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration and enhancement of cognition in the brains of rats.