Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemical changes and electrolyte stabilization in Clarias gariepinus (juveniles) induced by dichlorvos

I.R. Inyang*, E.N. Ogamba, V.E. Frank

Abstract

Pollution via pesticide is one of the significant problems in the environment. Pesticides can find their way into the food chain, hence the need to examine the effect of dichlorvos in Clarias gariepinus (juvenile) electrolytes and enzymes. Clarias gariepinus (mean length 21.0 + 0.12 cm) were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for seven days and then exposed to varying concentrations of dichlorvos in static bioassays for 14 days. Alkaline amino transferase (ALT). Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined in plasma, liver and kidney. Electrolytes (sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) were assessed in the muscle and kidney. A significant inhibition of AST activities were recorded in the plasma and liver, there was no significant changes in Na+ and K+ in the muscle and kidney except little elevation of values of K+ which stabilizes as the concentration increased. It is concluded that dichlorvos could be toxic at high concentration. Enzymes tested are more useful biomakers of sublethal effect of dichlorvos than the electrolytes. Further studies are required to evaluate the toxicity of dichlorvos in clarias garipinus fingerlings and adults and recovery response.

Combined leaves extract of Moringa oleifera and Ocimum gratissimum ameliorated diabetes induced hyperlipidemia in diabetic wistar rats

Efiong E.E.*, Iwara A.I., Igile G.U., Edet E.E., Ebong P.E., Itam E.H.

Abstract

Lipid profile is altered in diabetes. The study investigated the ameliorative effects of combined leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (M.O) and Ocimum gratissimum (O.G) on lipid profile in diabetic rats. Seven groups of 6 rats each were used. Groups 1 and 2 Normal Control (NC) and Diabetic Control groups (DC) received 0.5 ml Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). Groups 3 (INS) received 5UI/Kg b.w insulin (intraperitoneally) and group 4 (GB) received 5mg/Kg b.w glibenclamide (orally); while groups 5 and 6 received 500 mg/Kg b.w of Moringa oleifera (MO) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) extracts respectively. Group 7 the combined MO + OG (M/O) treated group received 250 mg/ Kg b.w of the extracts each. When compared with DC, results showed significant decrease (P< 0.05) in serum glucose for treated groups. No synergistic effect was observed for M/O. TC, TG, VLDL and LDL reduced significantly (P< 0.05) across the treated groups with more significant decrease for M/O. HDL-C increased significantly (P< 0.05) for all treated groups especially for M/O when compared with DC. In conclusion, extracts of MO and GL when administered singly and combined showed hypolipidaemic activity but the combined extract may be a better therapeutic agent for the prevention of diabetes induced cardiovascular related disorders.

Free Fatty Acid Level in North Indian Subjects Underlying Type Two Diabetes Mellitus

Jyoti Jain, Rati Mathur*, Mansi Jha, Aarif Khan, Pramod Yadav

Abstract

Free fatty acid has an important role in the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of the most common metabolic disease T2DM affecting Asian Indians. In this study free fatty acid level was measured in diabetic patients and healthy subjects and its association with anthropometric measurements and various metabolic indices was established. 100 type two diabetes mellitus patients and 50 healthy control subjects, age and sex matched were recruited for this study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters i.e. fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid were measured. The diabetic patients were again divided into two groups i.e. diabetic obese and diabetic non obese. Free fatty acid was found to be significantly higher (P<.05) in the diabetic group. Diabetic obese individual had higher free fatty acid concentration than diabetic non obese patients. The serum FFA was significantly correlated with Insulin, HOMA-IR in both diabetic obese and diabetic non obese subjects. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of serum free fatty acid as an important marker of diabetes mellitus and its consequent effect on T2DM associated with obesity in the North Indian population.

Novel anticancer compounds isolated from mangrove derived actinomycetes: A Review Article

Deepa S*. Vijayalakshmi S. Kanimozhi K., Panneerselvam A.

Abstract

It is increasingly evident that the true biological origins of many metabolites were isolated from certain mangrove microorganisms. The prokaryotic marine actinomycetes continue to be an important source of bioactive secondary metabolites and potent cytotoxic compounds. These antitumor compounds belong to several structural classes such as polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, indolocarbazoles, isoprenoides, and others. The medical and pharmaceutical application of these compounds were investigated for a few decades, this review presents a total of 12 anticancer metabolites, belonging mainly to the structural class, which mainly emphasis on their biological activities of the anticancer metabolites against cytotoxic cells isolated from mangrove actinomycetes from different places. This new innovations in the research field will provide valuable and novel insight into the mangrove actinomycetes dynamics as well as a new approach to comprehending biodiversity which reveals the presents trends on the role of anticancer compounds for the potential lead.

Anti-nutrient, Nutrient Composition, and Nutritional Potential of Itugha: A Fermented Product from Irvingia gabonensis Seeds

Ekpe O.O., Igile G.O.*

Abstract

Oil seeds are known to concentrate elements and vitamins, and are therefore considered good sources of icronutrients if present in significant quantities. This study evaluated the fermented (Ituhga) and fresh seeds of Irvingia-var gabonensis from Yakurr ethnic land of the old rainforest of Cross River State of Nigeria for its vitamin and mineral composition. Both the fermented product (Itugha) and the fresh seeds contained mineral elements of nutritional significance and confirmed the claims by natives that the inclusion of itugha in weaning and convalescing meals is beneficial to infant growth and the well being of elderly people. The mineral elements of nutritional significance in Itugha (DMB) included; manganese, 55.00+ 0.2μg/100g, zinc 14.28+ 0.8μg/100g; iron 9.48+ 1.1μg/100g; selenium 3.33+ 0.10μg/100g; calcium 1.08+ 0.01mg/100g; otassium 2.99+ 0.5mg/100g; sodium 1.44+ 0.5μg/100g; copper 5.21+ 0.25μg/100g and phosphorus 3.40+ 0.8 μg/100g. The fresh seeds gave a similar mineral profile which included manganese 47.00+ 0.3μg/100g; iron 12.24+ 1.20μg/100g, zinc 16.42+ 0.90μg/100g, selenium 3.25+ 0.40μg/100g; phosphorus 9.00+ 1.10μg/100g; copper 6.28+ 0.50μg/ 100g; calcium 1.23+ 0.01mg/100g; Potassium 2.51+ 0.50mg/100g and sodium 1.25+ 0.50μg/ 100g. Manganese was the most significant mineral element in both fresh Irvingia seeds and fermented Itugha compared to the other elements. Vitamins detected in the fermented Itugha included vit C 22.37+0.21μg/100g); vit A (0.80+0.10μg/100g), vit B1(0.06+0.01 μg00g), vit B12 (0.01μg/100g), vit E (0.20 μg/100g); Niacin (0.20 μg/100g), and β- carotene (1.7+ 0.11.μg/100g). Similar results were obtained for the fresh seeds. It was concluded that Itugha contributes significantly to the micronutrient intake of the consuming populations.

Blood and salivary oxidant - antioxidant status in chronic periodontitis: A correlative study

Roopa Sebastian*, Shivarajashankara Y.M., Manjula Shantaram, Shivashankara A.R. Dayakar M.M., Allwyn Joshua S.

Abstract

Objective: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. Saliva is an underused diagnostic fluid, with advantages with respect to the non invasiveness of its collection and suitability of repeated sampling. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of thirty, chronic generalised periodontitis patients (aged 30-55yrs) and thirty age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), uric acid and vitamin C were estimated in whole saliva and serum. Results: Chronic periodontitis patients showed significantly higher levels of MDA, and lower levels of TAS and vitamin C in serum and saliva when compared to healthy controls (P <0.001). With respect to uric acid, salivary uric acid levels were significantly lower in periodontitis patients in comparison to controls while serum uric acid level did not show any significant change. There was a significant correlation between serum and salivary levels with respect to uric acid and TAS. Conclusion: The results indicate increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant level both locally (oral environment) and systemically in CP. Salivary oxidant –antioxidant status could serve as sensitive marker of chronic periodontitis.