No abstract

Respiratory health in the general population declines regardless of the presence of pulmonary diseases. Oxidative stress has been implicated as one of the mechanisms involved in respiratory dysfunction. This review was to evaluate studies that relate oxidative stress factors with pulmonary function among the general population without prior respiratory illnesses. The search yielded 54 citations. Twenty-one studies qualified for incorporation in this review. Owing to the heterogeneity of the review, studies were discussed based on identified oxidative stress factors responsible for pulmonary dysfunction. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including gene polymorphisms of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase 1, glutathione S transferase, superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation products were involved in lung function decline. In addition, the antioxidant status of individuals in reference to dietary antioxidant intake and exposure to environmental pollutants affected oxidative stress and pulmonary function, as indicated by forced expired volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory flow at 25%–75% . This review indicated that oxidative stress is implicated in the gradual decline of lung function among the general population, and gene polymorphism along the antioxidant defense line and/or their interaction with air pollutants reduce lung function. Different polymorphic forms among individuals explain why the rate of lung function decline differs among people. Dietary antioxidants have respiratory health benefits in antioxidant gene polymorphic forms. Therefore, the genetic composition of an individual may be considered for monitoring and identifying people at risk of respiratory illnesses.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background Cucumis melon is a medicinal plant with multiple pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic effects. An increasing body of scientific evidence established the anti-diabetic/anti-obesity effects of Cucumis melo in humans, mice, and hamster models. However, there are no tangible reports on its ability to prevent cardiovascular complications following diet-induced obesity. The anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective effects of the Methanolic extract of Cucumis melo. L. Inodorus seeds on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats was assessed in this study.  Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, (n = 8/group); i.e., Normal (N), HFD, HFD + 50 mg/kg b.w. of MCMs (Methanolic extract of Cucumis melon seeds), HFD + 100 mg/Kg b.w. of MCMs and HFD + 200 mg/kg b.w. of MCMs. The experimental animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed after 10 weeks, and blood samples and heart tissue were collected for further analysis. Using the Graph Pad Prism version 5.0, the results expressed as Mean ± SD was tested using the one-way ANOVA to show intergroup differences, followed by Bonferonni ‘s post hoc test. The level of significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05. Results MCMs significantly (P < 0.05) reduced body weight, adiposity index, total fat mass, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and total cholesterol (TC) compared with the HFD obese groups MCMs caused a significant reduction in the body weight, total fat mass, adiposity index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and total cholesterol (TC) when compared to the animals in HFD obese groups. Also, the Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli index and, malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in MCMs treated groups compared to the HFD obese group. The catalase, protein, and HDL levels were significantly increased in MCMs treated groups compared to HFD-obese animals. Expression of nitric oxide in the form of nitrite in the heart tissue significantly increased in the MCMs treated compared to the HFD-obese rats, with the majority of the positive results recorded at 100 mg/Kg b.w. of MCMs. Conclusions MCMs have anti-atherogenic and Cardio-protective properties on High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Male rats via an antioxidant and nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Further study is recommended to evaluate the molecular mechanisms to which these anti-atherogenic and cardio-protective actions can be attributed and exploit the GCMS result in the development of drug candidates.

In recent years, quail eggs have become a subject of interest because of its properties and medical benefits. In this study, the separate and combined effects of quail eggs and vitamin C on the blood glucose level and body weight of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated. The 30 wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups; Group I (control), Group II (diabetic rats without treatment), Group III (diabetic rats treated with raw quail eggs only), Group IV (diabetic rats treated with raw quail eggs and vitamin C) and Group V (diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide 600 µg/kg body weight). Diabetes mellitus was induced in fasted rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight). The induced rats were then treated with the Quail eggs, Quail eggs/vit C, and Glibenclamide. At the end of the 10 days of treatment, the group treated with quail eggs and vitamin C at 0.15 ml/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively showed a significant (p< 0.05) hypoglycaemic effect, as the mean blood glucose level in the group decreased with an increase in the mean body weight. The group treated with Glibenclamide showed similar and stronger effect of hypoglycaemia. The group treated with quail eggs alone did not show any significant hypoglycaemic effect. Consequently, the groups treated quail eggs/vit C and Glibenclamide lost significant body weight. Quail eggs alone, quail eggs combined with vit C and Glibenclamide have hypoglycaemic effect after 10 days of administration, and could therefore be used to manage diabetes mellitus. Glibenclamide is however more potent for this purpose than quail egg/vit C, which is also more potent than quail egg alone.