Saheed Olanrewaju Afolabi

Lipid peroxidation is implicated in the development of hypertension and coronary artery disease, and its deleterious impact is exacerbated by estrogen (ETD) depletion in post-menopausal women. We hypothesize that treatment with ETD and antihyperlipidemic drugs, either alone or in combination, can alleviate the development of cardiovascular disease. In this study, female Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups (n = 6): Group 1 (control) underwent a Sham operation and was fed standard rat chow, whereas the other nine groups were ovariectomized (OVX) and received a diet containing either thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) or thermoxidized soya oil (TSO) for 12 weeks. ETD at 0.2 mg/kg/day, atorvastatin (ATV) at 10 mg/kg/day, and a combination of ezetimibe (EZE) and ATV (EZE at 3 mg/kg/day + ATV at 10 mg/kg/day) were administered for 12 weeks in both TSO and TPO diet groups. Blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters were assessed, along with serum lipid profile, atherogenic indices, and markers of oxidative stress. Both TPO and TSO diets significantly altered blood pressure and ECG parameters in OVX rats. Treatment with ATV, EZE+ATV, and ETD significantly reduced blood pressure parameters compared to the OVX+TPO group. Antihyperlipidemic drugs significantly decreased heart rate, QT interval, QRS duration, and QT corrected (QTc), whereas ETD similarly shortened the QRS and QTc duration. ATV and ETD also reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein levels, while boosting high-density lipoprotein concentrations compared to untreated OVX+TSO rats. This study demonstrates that thermoxidized oil has a deleterious effect on OVX rats by altering blood pressure, ECG parameters, and atherogenic indices. Treatment with antihyperlipidemic drugs and ETD normalized blood pressure and ECG parameters, reversed hyperlipidemia, and restored antioxidant system balance.

The Allium cepa assay represents a crucial in vivo model for evaluating the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of substances. This study investigated the cytogenotoxicity of mercury chloride (HgCl₂), a laboratory disinfectant and catalyst, using the Allium cepa assay. Mitotic slides were prepared from onion root tip cells grown on media supplemented with different concentrations of HgCl₂ (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%). The slides were observed to evaluate cytogenotoxicity based on the assessment of the mitotic index, mitotic inhibition, clastogenic effect, and root length. The results showed that the concentrations used are harmful to the cell, leading to adverse impacts on the mitotic index, mitotic inhibition, root growth, and chromosome structure. Different chromosomal aberrations, such as bridge formation, fragmentation fragments, wandering chromosomes, stickiness, binucleate cells, and micronucleus formation, were detected depending on the concentration. Although lower concentrations (0.2–0.4%) had fewer effects on the cells, they still had a significant cytogenotoxic effect (p < 0.05) compared to that of the control (0.0%). The higher the concentration, the greater the effects on clastogenic changes. The abnormalities in both mitotic spread and root growth indicate that mercury chloride is cytotoxic even at low concentrations and can cause mito-depressive effects at higher concentrations. The results of this investigation can be used as a guide to guarantee sufficient safety precautions for people and organs during the regular use of HgCl₂.

Glucocorticoids have therapeutic benefits in the management of several inflammatory and immunological disorders. Despite these medicinal effects, they have the drawback of causing metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance etc., which is known to be a key indicator of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a major predisposing factor to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiomyopathy. This study was designed to compare and evaluate the effects of saxagliptin, metformin and intranasal insulin (when used singly or in combination) on dexamethasone induced insulin resistance. Fifty-six female rats were randomly assigned into eight groups. Group 1 represented the control; Group 2 was administered with dexamethasone (1mg/kg) (untreated); Group 3 received dexamethasone + intranasal insulin (2IU); Group 4 received dexamethasone + intranasal insulin + metformin (40mg/kg); Group 5; received dexamethasone + intranasal + saxagliptin (8mg/kg); Group 6 received dexamethasone + metformin (40mg/kg); Group 7 received dexamethasone + saxagliptin (8mg/kg); Group 8 received dexamethasone + saxagliptin(8mg/kg) + metformin(40mg/kg). Treatments were given for one week. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for biochemical assays and pancreas excised for histological examination. Dexamethasone (1mg/kg) induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance and disrupted the structural integrity of the pancreas. Treatment with saxagliptin, metformin and their combination significantly decreased blood glucose level, decreased LDL Level and improved glucose tolerance. The selected hypoglycemic agents used in present study ameliorate the dexamethasone induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance of which the combination of metformin with saxagliptin showed greater efficacy.

Background and Purpose: A Nigerian-formulated polyherbal supplement (PHS) is consumed for its folkloric claims of boosting the immune system. The aim of this study was to toxicologically evaluate a 30-day administration of PHS. Methods: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was carried out on the ethanol extract of PHS. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups. One group served as control while the other three groups were administered 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day of PHS for 30 consecutive days. The animals were anesthetized, and cardiac puncture was used to obtain whole blood for hematology and serum biochemistry. In vivo, antioxidant assays were also carried out on the liver homogenates. The liver, kidneys, and heart were examined histologically. Results: The most abundant compounds identified were eucalyptol, alpha-pinene, and phytol. There were no adverse hematological effects. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, and catalase were reduced significantly (P<0.05). At 1000 mg/kg/day, there was a significant increase in creatinine, sodium ion, and glutathione peroxidase concentration. The histological examination of the heart, kidneys, and liver revealed that PHS did not cause any major tissue lesions at 250 and 500 mg/kg/day. Tissue lesions and pathologies were obvious at 1000 mg/kg/day. Conclusion: The polyherbal supplement seems to be relatively safe if used at doses up to 250 mg/kg/day. Higher doses may cause renal and hepatic lesions.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of the chronic use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) on the indices of metabolic syndrome in adult female Wistar rats and possible therapeutic management. Materials and Methods. 64 female Wistar rats received either distilled water, norethindrone (NOR), COC, intranasal insulin (INI), metformin (MET), saxagliptin (SAX), INI+MET, and INI+SAX. After 8 weeks of exposure to COC, the animals were sorted into the therapeutic groups. Several parameters were assayed for, such as body weight changes, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, insulin levels, inflammatory cytokines, and glycated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac). Results. The levels of FBG, insulin, and Hb1Ac were increased consequent upon COC treatment. Treatment with INI+SAX and INI+MET reduced significantly the levels of FBG and Hb1Ac; in addition, the level of insulin was significantly increased in the INI+MET groups ( ). Serum lipid profile analysis showed a statistical reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level; this reduction was also significantly reversed in the INI+SAX group. Reduced catalase activity observed in the COC group was reversed in the INI+MET group ( ). A nonsignificant increase in the level of TNF-α as a result of COC treatment was reversed by INI and INI+MET treatment. Liver GLUT4 and G-6-phosphate levels were significantly increased by COC treatment, and this effect was reversed by INI+SAX in both assays, respectively ( ). Conclusions. The use of MET and SAX in combination with INI has been shown to reverse some indices of MetS. This study proposes a clinical phase to backup and ascertain these preclinical findings.