This study aimed at finding out whether chronic consumption of oxidized palm oil affects the expression and/or activity of the renal transport proteins involved in the transportation of the electrolytes and glucose. 20 male Wistar rats weighing 120-140gms at the beginning of the experiment were randomly divided into four groups namely: control group, fresh palm oil diet-fed group (FPO); photoxidized palm oil diet-fed group (PPO), and Thermoxidized palm oil diet-fed group (TPO). The control group received normal rat chow while the oil-fed groups received 15% of the respective palm oil diet regimen in addition to tap water for 90 days. After 90 days, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples collected while the kidneys were excised for biochemical analyses. Results showed that aldosterone levels in the PPO and TPO were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively) higher than that of control with the levels in the TPO being significantly (P<0.001) higher than PPO. Na+/K+ATPase and H+/K+ATPase activities were significantly (P<0.01; P<0.001, P<0.001) higher in FPO, PPO and TPO compared with control; with the Na+/K+ATPase activities in TPO being significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.05) than FPO and PPO respectively; while K+/H+ATPase activities in TPO were significantly (P< 0.001; P<0.001) higher than FPO and PPO respectively. SGLUT2 concentration in PPO was significantly(P<0.001) lower than control and FPO; and significantly (P<0.001) lower in TPO when compared with control and PPO and FPO. Therefore, chronic consumption of photo-and thermoxidized palm oil diets increases Na+/K+ATPase, and H+/K+ATPase activities, aldosterone levels but lowers SGLUT2 levels in Wistar rats.
Fresh palm oil is known to compose of vitamin A and E; two well known antioxidants which combat alot of ailments caused by reactive oxygen species.Thermoxidized palm oil on the other hand has deleterious effects on some organs.This study was done to find out the effects of chronic consumption of palm oil on some renal function indices (protein, glucose and creatinine) in rats.Thirty male albino rats (weighing 140g-160g) of the wistar strain were randomly divided into three groups of ten rats each namely: control; (fed normal rat chow), FPO (fed 15%w/w fresh palm oil diets) and TPO (fed 15%w/w thermoxidized palm oil diets).All groups had free access to tap water.Results showed that plasma protein levels in TPO-fed animals were significantly (P<0.001) higher compared with control and FPO-fed groups.Creatinine levels were significantly (P<0.001) higher in TPO-fed group than those of the control and FPO-fed groups.Urine protein, glucose and creatinine levels in the TPO-fed group were significantly (P<0.001) higher than those of control and FPO groups.Conclusion: Chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil distorts renal handling of protein, glucose and Creatinine, while fresh palm oil maintains these renal function indices.
There is a global concern on salt consumption above the dietary guideline; salt consumption evokes physiological responses with cardiovascular risks associated with dyslipidemia other than increased blood pressure as numerous studies have pointed out. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of L-Arginine on lipid profile of rats fed high salt diet. Forty Male Albino Wister rats weighing between 70-120g were randomly selected assigned into four groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 served as the control and was given distilled water and normal rat chow. Group 2 was fed with high salt diet (8% Nacl in feed, and 1% Nacl in drinking water) Group 3 was treated as group 2 with the introduction of L-Arginine on the 43rd day of the experiment. Group 4 was treated as group 2 with the introduction of losartan administration on the 43rd day of the experiment. Administration of L-Arginine and losartan lasted for 14 days, making a total duration of feeding and drugs administration 56 days. At the end of the 56th day, the rats were fasted overnight for 12 hours and sacrificed under anaesthesia using sodium pentobarbitone. Blood samples were then collected from each animal via cardiac puncture into heparinized tubes and centrifuged at 3500rpm for a period of 15 min, and the clear supernatant plasma were collected and stored at -20°C for biochemical analyses of lipid profile. The results showed a significant increase in TG, LDL-C, TC, VLDL-C and a reduction of HDL-C in the salt fed group. Conversely, a significant reduction in TG, LDL-C, TC, VLDL-C and an increase in HDL-C was shown in the salt + L-Arginine treated group when compared to the control. The changes observed in the L-Arginine treated groups reversed the hyperlipidemia in the salt treated group which indicates L-Arginine is beneficial in treatment of salt induced dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: cardiovascular risks, dyslipidemia, L-Arginine, rats fed high salt diet
The effects of chronic consumption of three types of palm oil diets on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and blood pressure were studied.Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups of ten rats each respectively; control, fresh (FPO), photoxidized (PPO), thermoxidized (TPO) palm oil diet-fed rats.The control group was fed rat chow only, while experimental groups had different palm oil diets at 15% wt/wt for twelve weeks and tap water ad libitum.After the feeding period, GFR, RPF, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured.GFR and RPF of the TPO (0.07 ± 0.01 ml/min and 1.50 ± 0.24 ml/min) and PPO (0.14 ± 0.01 and 2.54 ± 0.11) groups were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced compared with control (0.77 ± 0.04 and 5.3 ± 0.30) and FPO (0.81 ± 0.02 and 4.8 ± 0.13) groups.The GFR and RPF of the TPO group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the PPO group.SBP and DBP of the TPO group (140 ± 3 mmHg and 106 ± 4 mmHg) were significantly (p < 0.01) increased when compared with the control (112 ± 6.4 and 78 ± 5), FPO (118 ± 5 and 81 ± 6) and PPO (122 ± 5 and 89 ± 5) groups.These results suggest that chronic consumption of TPO and PPO caused a decrease in GFR and RPF, but increased blood pressure in rats, while FPO did not adversely affect blood pressure, GFR and RPF.
Gongronema latifolium (GL) has gained research interest in the field of Medicine.The present study investigated the cardioprotective potentials of the ethanolic and ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves extract of G.L. 18 Male Wistar rats were divided equally into three groups.Group 1 was the control group, and was administered 0.9% normal saline.Group 2 was administered 200mg/kg ethanolic leaves extract of GL.Group 3 received 200mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves extract of GL.Administration was via oral gavage and lasted for 14 days.The rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia.Blood was collected via cardiac puncture, allowed to clot, and later centrifuged to get serum.Laboratory assays were done for serum concentrations of total cholesterol (Tc), total triglycerides (Tg), high density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein (LDL), malondialedyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total plasma peroxide (TPP).The heart, aorta, and kidneys were also harvested for organ weight and histological studies.Administration of GL extracts resulted in an increase (p<0.001) serum concentrations of HDL-c and TAC, with a consequent reduction in the serum concentrations of Tg, LDL-c, VLDL, MDA, and TPP.There was no significant (p<0.01)change in organ weights of the heart, aorta, and kidneys across the groups.Histology of the blood vessels showed intact layers across the groups.There was no derangement of cellular architecture in the heart and kidney.This study therefore concludes that Gongronema latifolium leaves extract is cardioprotective, and thus provides a basis for the use of this plant as an alternative for the prevention, management or control of cardiovascular diseases.
Carpolobia lutea (C. lutea) is widely used as an alternative medication for varying health disorders. The present study investigated the effect of the ethanolic root extract of this plant, C. lutea on locomotor and exploratory behavior in male Swiss white mice using the open field maze, and light-dark transition box. 30 Male Swiss white mice made up of 10 per group were used for the study. Group 1 was the control group, and was administered 0.9% normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 were administered 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg ethanolic root extract of C. lutea respectively. Administration was via oral gavage, 5 minutes before introduction into the experimental mazes. The number of line crosses, frequency of rearing, walling activity, and central square entries following drug administration, was dose dependently decreased (p < 0.001) compared with the untreated group. There was also a corresponding increased (p < 0.001) frequency, and duration of freezing behaviour in the extract treated groups. These indices imply that root extract of Carpolobia lutea reduces locomotor and exploratory behaviour; a possibility that C. lutea possesses a sedating property, thus reducing the activity of the amygdala with a consequent calming effect.
The aim of this study is to find out the effect of phenylhydrazine on creatinine clearance, hence GFR and the relationship between GFR and aldosterone. Sixteen 16 male Wistar rats weighing 200 – 250 grams were randomly divided into four groups namely: Group 1 – Normal control Group 2 - Hematinic group (Fes): fed normal rat chow + tap water + ferrous sulphate (using an oral gavage at 75mg/kg bw); Group 3 - Anemic -treated group (AFes): administered Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) intraperitoneally for two consecutive days to induce anemia at a dose of 40mg/kg bw + normal rat chow + tap water + ferrous sulphate at 75mg/kg bw. Group 4 (Anu) – Anemic control group: administered Phenlyhydrazine (PHZ) intraperitoneally at a dose of 40mg/kg of bw + normal rat chow + tap water (as in group one). After 15 days, blood and urine samples were collected into sterile sample bottles for analysis. There was a significant (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05) increase in aldosterone levels between Anu, control, Fes and AFes respectively. There was a significant (P<0.001) decrease in control compared with Anu. There was also a significant (P<0.01, P<0.001) decrease in Fes with AFes and Anu. Anu creatinine clearance was also significantly (P<0.001) lower than AFes. Phenylhydrazine intoxication led to a reduction in creatinine clearance and an increase in aldosterone levels, confirming a negative correlation (r= 0.9956, P<0.01) between aldosterone and creatinine clearance. Also, ferrous sulphate tends to reduce the extent to which aldosterone levels increased hence narrowing the margine and or reducing the significance of the correlation.
The aim of this study is to find out the effect of phenylhydrazine on creatinine clearance, hence GFR and the relationship between GFR and aldosterone. Sixteen 16 male Wistar rats weighing 200 – 250 grams were randomly divided into four groups namely: Group 1 – Normal control Group 2 - Hematinic group (Fes): fed normal rat chow + tap water + ferrous sulphate (using an oral gavage at 75mg/kg bw); Group 3 - Anemic -treated group (AFes): administered Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) intraperitoneally for two consecutive days to induce anemia at a dose of 40mg/kg bw + normal rat chow + tap water + ferrous sulphate at 75mg/kg bw. Group 4 (Anu) – Anemic control group: administered Phenlyhydrazine (PHZ) intraperitoneally at a dose of 40mg/kg of bw + normal rat chow + tap water (as in group one). After 15 days, blood and urine samples were collected into sterile sample bottles for analysis. There was a significant (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05) increase in aldosterone levels between Anu, control, Fes and AFes respectively. There was a significant (P<0.001) decrease in control compared with Anu. There was also a significant (P<0.01, P<0.001) decrease in Fes with AFes and Anu. Anu creatinine clearance was also significantly (P<0.001) lower than AFes. Phenylhydrazine intoxication led to a reduction in creatinine clearance and an increase in aldosterone levels, confirming a negative correlation (r= 0.9956, P<0.01) between aldosterone and creatinine clearance. Also, ferrous sulphate tends to reduce the extent to which aldosterone levels increased hence narrowing the margine and or reducing the significance of the correlation.
Fresh palm oil improves impaired renal function in phenylhydrazine-induced anaemic Wistar rats via its anti-anaemic effect and modulation of expressions of pro-oxidant/antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines and caspase-3 in the kidneys.
Abstract Background Gongronema latifolium Benth. (family Apocynaceae ) leaves ( GL ) has interesting medicinal properties. The effects of extracts from G. latifolium on blood pressure (BP) and the possible mechanisms of action were also investigated. Methods The ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis was used to identify the phytochemicals present. Normotensive Wistar rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, and the jugular vein was cannulated for infusion of drugs while the carotid artery was cannulated for direct BP measurement. GL extract (5–20 mg) alone or with nifedipine (10 mg/kg), atropine (2 mg/kg), L-NAME (5 mg/kg), methyl blue (3 mg/kg) and propranolol (1 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to Wistar rats and direct BP measurements were carried out. Results Systolic and diastolic BP levels (128/90 mm Hg; MAP 103 ± 3 mm Hg) and heart rates were all significantly (p < 0.01) decreased after GL administration. Raised mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate by atropine, L-NAME and methyl blue were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced after GL administration, while propranolol significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited hypotension caused by GL. Infusion of GL reduced MAP (95 ± 3 mm Hg) comparable with nifedipine (93 ± 2 mm Hg), a calcium channel blocker. The phytochemicals identified were 34 compounds, including oleanolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, antioxidant fatty acids, 2 coumarins and 2 iridoids. Conclusions These results suggest that G. latifolium has hypotensive properties mediated by the synergistic activity of the compounds, probably via the β-adrenergic blockade mechanism.