Nicholas Chukwuka Ugwu

Spices Mixture Containing Garlic, Ginger and Nutmeg Has Protective Effects on the Kidneys and Liver of Cadmium Exposed Rats.

PURPOSE To determine the potential protective effect of spice mixture containing garlic, ginger and nutmeg on the liver and kidney of cadmium exposed rats. METHODS Male albino rats (n=30) weighing 120 - 180 g, grouped into five (1-5) of 6 rats/group were studied. Group 1 (NC) rats were administered distilled water (1 ml) orally for 4 weeks and served as the negative control while group 2 (PC) rats were administered low dose (LD) cadmium (25 mg/kg body weight) orally for 4 weeks and served as positive control. Group 3 (TBE) rats were treated with spice mixture (SM); 300 mg/kg body weight orally for 2 weeks and then administered LD cadmium for 4 weeks. While group 4 (CET) rats were concurrently administered LD cadmium and SM for 4 weeks, group 5 (TAE) rats were administered LD cadmium for 4 weeks and then treated with SM for 2 weeks. The whole experiment lasted for 42 day after which the animals were sacrificed and blood collected for determination of biochemical parameters using standard procedures and techniques. RESULTS Exposure to Cd produced greater increases in the liver function parameters. However treatment with SM significantly (p<0.05) reduced ALT in animals treated after exposure, AST and bilirubin in those treated before exposure and significant (p<0.05) increased serum albumin in animals treated before exposure to Cd. The altered renal function parameters and total serum cholesterol were restored to near normal values following treatment with SM. CONCLUSION It may be concluded that concurrent intake of garlic, ginger and nutmeg at culinary dose in the diet has both therapeutic and prophylactic effect at mitigating Cd toxicity and reaffirms the safely of spices combinations as being currently practiced.

Plasma levels of copper, iron and zinc in healthy primary school children from rural communities of Ebonyi State, South Eastern Nigeria

Plasma copper, iron and zinc were determined in 295 primary school children; mean age = 8.81 ± 2.07 years from rural communities in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria using atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Copper and zinc deficiencies were found in 4.1% and 6.1% respectively while inadequate plasma iron and anaemia were found in 21.4% and 20%, respectively. Significantly, higher prevalence of zinc deficiency was observed in females (8.8% vs. 3.4%; p = 0.047) and copper deficiency in males (6.1% vs. 2.0%; p = 0.043). Although, plasma copper and zinc decrease with pupils’ age, only copper was found to be statistically significant (r = –0.121, p = 0.038). Data suggest that copper and zinc malnutrition may not be of concern among rural primary school children however, sustenance of functional health facilities and public health education on food diversification and good personal and environmental hygiene are advocated.