Sarah Onyenibe Nwozo

Anti-fatty liver effects of oils from Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa on ethanol-induced fatty liver in rats

OBJECTIVE The present study is aimed at evaluating the protective effects of oils from Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Curcuma longa (turmeric) on acute ethanol-induced fatty liver in male Wistar rats. METHODS Ferric reducing antioxidant power activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the oils were evaluated ex vivo. Rats were pretreated for 28 d with standard drug (Livolin Forte) and oils from Z. officinale and C. longa before they were exposed to 45% ethanol (4.8 g/kg) to induce acute fatty liver. Histological changes were observed and the degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Serum triglyceride (TG) level, total cholesterol (TC) level and the effects of both oils on reduced gluthatione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated. RESULTS Oils from Z. officinale and C. longa at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, serum TG, serum TC and hepatic MDA, while they significantly restored the level of GSH as well as GST and SOD activities. Histological examination of rats tissues was related to the obtained results. CONCLUSION From the results it may be concluded that oils from Z. officinale and C. longa (200 mg/kg) exhibited hepatoprotective activity in acute ethanol-induced fatty liver and Z. officinale oil was identified to have better effects than C. longa oil.

Prophylactic effect of aqueous extract of Sesamum indicum seeds on ethanol-induced toxicity in male rats

The liver is vulnerable to alcohol-related injury because it is the primary site of alcohol metabolism. Additionally, a number of potentially dangerous by-products are generated as alcohol is broken down in the liver. However, dietary supplements may prevent or relieve some of alcohols deleterious effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of aqueous extract of Sesamum indicum (SI) on ethanol induced toxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into control, ethanol, pre-treatment, simultaneous and post-treatment groups. In the prophylactic experiment, Sesamum indicum, (200 mg/kg body weight) was administered by oral gavage for 28 days; two hours before, simultaneously with or two hours after ethanol exposure. Toxicity was induced by administering 45% ethanol (4.8 g/kg bw) by oral gavage. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were then determined in the liver, serum triglyceride (TG) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored and histological examination was carried out. The results revealed that ethanol administration led to significant elevation of TBARS level while depleting in the level of GSH as well as CAT, GPx, SOD and GST activities. Similarly, TG level and ALT and AST activities were elevated. The SI pre-treated group significantly inhibited TBARS, restored GSH level, enhanced CAT, GPx, SOD and GST activities and significantly decreased the elevated level of serum TG, ALT and AST activities. SI treatment (simultaneously with ethanol) exhibited similar effects to those of the SI pre-treated groups, while the SI post-treated group did not show the same protection as the Pre-treated group. S. indicum possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, that eliminate the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of ethanol.

Survey of trace element composition of commercial infant formulas in the Nigerian market

Concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), vanadium (V) and cobalt (Co) were measured in 190 samples covering 19 different brands of popular baby foods in Nigeria to assess whether the intakes complied with the recommended desired levels for essential metals and permissible levels for toxic elements. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, V and Co in different types of infant foods were found to vary from 1.8–7.8; <0.001–0.1; <0.001–0.02; 0.01–0.1; 4.4–25.8; 0.03–0.06; 0.1–1.6; <0.001–0.1 to <0.001–0.1 µg g−1, respectively. The average concentrations of these metals were higher in soy-based formulas than milk-based infant foods. The estimated average daily intakes of metals through the consumption of these brands of infant foods for ages 0–6 and 7–12 months were 118.6 and 163.5; 1.0 and 1.9; 0.2 and 0.3; 1.3 and 1.8; 294.8 and 530.6; 1.0 and 1.1; 15.1 and 20.6; and 0.8 and 4.0 µg kg−1 body weight (bw) day−1 for Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni, Cr and Co, respectively. The daily intakes of non-essential elements of these metals through baby foods are well below the recommended tolerable levels. Similarly, the daily intake levels of essential elements (e.g. Zn, Co, Cu and Fe) were also significantly lower than the recommended desirable levels in infant foods.

Concentrations of selected metals in chicken eggs from commercial farms in Southern Nigeria

This work presents the results of the determination of concentrations of the trace metals Ni, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, and Fe in eggs from farms in Southern Nigeria. The mean concentrations (µg g−1 fresh weight) ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 for Ni, 3.1 to 8.9 for Zn, 0.45 to 0.65 for Mn, 0.4 to 1.2 for Pb, <0.09 to 0.3 for Cr, 0.1 to 0.3 for Cd, 0.26 to 0.34 for Co, 0.9 to 1.2 for Cu and 19.5 to 24.0 for Fe. The concentrations and estimated dietary intakes of these metals were below the respective statutory limits. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for the individual metals in all zones are less than 1, i.e., within safe levels. The combined THQ values for the different zones were greater than 1but less than 2, with a significant contribution of cobalt.

Zinc, lead, and cadmium levels in serum and milk of lactating women in Ibadan, Nigeria:

Zinc (Zn) is known to interact with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) reversing their toxicity and reducing their concentrations. However, lactating women are at high risk of developing Zn deficiency, which may result in Pb and Cd intoxication or increased exposure of breast-fed infants to Pb and Cd from breast milk. The aim of this study was to determine Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations and examine their relationship in serum and breast milk of lactating women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Ninety-two lactating women were recruited into this study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed by standard methods while serum and breast milk concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data analyzed statistically by Student’s t test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a multiple regression model were significant at p < 0.05. Zn deficiency was observed in 12 (17.1%) of lactating women. Breast milk levels of Zn, Pb, and Cd were significantly higher than their levels in serum, whereas the ratios Zn:Pb and Zn:Cd in milk were significantly less than serum ratios. Significant negative correlation was observed between milk Pb and serum Zn:Pb while milk Cd correlated positively with milk Zn. Significant positive correlations were observed between serum Zn and serum Zn:Pb, serum Zn and serum Zn:Cd, as well as serum Zn:Cd and serum Zn:Pb. Serum Cd and serum Zn were significantly negatively related. Significant negative correlations between serum Pb and serum Zn:Pb as well as milk Zn:Pb. Serum Cd and serum Zn:Pb as well as serum Zn:Cd correlated negatively. Milk Cd and Zn/Cd positively related with milk Pb while milk Zn was a negatively related with milk Pb in a multiple regression model (R 2 = 0.333; p = 0.023). Breast milk may be contaminated by toxic metals. However, Zn supplementation in deficient mothers may protect maternal and infant health.

Abstract B45: Piptandenia africana and Nauclea latifolia protect against N-Nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatic tumors in Wistar rats

In vitro studies on crude extracts of Piptandenia africana (PA) and Nauclea latifolia (NL) showed promising anti proliferative effects on Hela, MCF7 and ICMST-6 cell lines. Furtherance to these finding, we examined the anti-tumorigenic effect of NL and PA on N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) induced hepatic tumors in Wistar rats as potential phytotherapeutic candidates for cancer prevention and treatment. Five groups of rats (n=5) were co-treated as follows for 60 days: Control (1), DEN only (25μg/g body wt.) (2), DEN+PA (3), DEN+ NL (4) and DEN+PA+NL (5). The serum was assessed for markers of toxicity: alanine and aspartate transaminase (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Total bilirubin (TB) conjugated bilirubin (CB) and creatinine were also examined. Numbers, volumes and sizes of DEN-induced tumors were estimated in harvested livers using a DelcastTM caliper. Sections of liver were examined for histopathological changes and hepatic antioxidants profiles: glutathione peroxide (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione -s- transferase (GST), catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH). Decreases (p Hepatic GPx, SOD, GST, catalase and GSH levels suggested that grp2 treated rats had lower levels of antioxidant activities compared to grp 1 and 3. Grp 4 rats exhibited higher antioxidant activity relative to animals in grp 3 and grp 2. In addition markers (AST, ALT and ALP, TB and CB) of hepatotoxicity were highest in grp 4 relative to all other groups. Histopathology of liver sections showed severe portal cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells, congestion and multiple foci of severe hepatic necrosis in grp 2, compared to the grp 1. In contrast grp 3 exhibited mild portal cellular infiltration with moderate Kupffer cell hyperplasia. Grp 4 animals presented with severe but diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes. Mild portal congestion, occasioned by cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells was observed in grp 5 rats. PA and NL co-treatment mitigated DEN-induced hepatic tumorigenesis in rats. PA and NL exhibited phytotherapuetic properties supporting earlier in vitro findings. This may be relevant in preventing hepatic tumor formation and may serve as potential chemoprevention agents. Elucidating the phytochemistry and mechanistic mode of actions of PA and NL are required. Citation Format: Queen-Esther E. Akinade, Sarah O. Nwozo, Olubunmi A. Akinwumi, Solomon E. Owumi. Piptandenia africana and Nauclea latifolia protect against N-Nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatic tumors in Wistar rats. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B45.