Possible biochemical changes in hepatic and renal functions due to exposure of petrol vapour were assessed in twenty (20) petrol station attendants in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. A corresponding twenty healthy subjects who were not exposed to petrol or its vapour were used as controls. The results showed a significant increase in the (p<0.05) activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases for those exposed to petrol vapour from 6-10 years while the plasma bilirubin concentrations showed no significant change (p<0.05). Concentrations of serum urea, creatinine and urinary protein for those exposed to petrol vapour from 6-10 years were also significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared with the control. The results therefore indicate that exposure to petrol vapour increases the activities of some serum diagnostic liver enzymes and may also affect renal function indices. These effects, as seen from the study, are directly related to the duration of exposure and should be of interest to economic and environmental policy makers in Nigeria. @JASEM

Aim:To study the effect of chronic exposure of tartarzine at ADI doses on some biochemical parameters of male albino rats. Study Design: The design involved chronic study. In the study, the experiment was divided into phase 1, 2, and 3 which lasted for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. In each phase, 40 rats were used and were divided into treatment and control groups. The treated groups were given 7.5 mg/kg of tartrazine orally on daily basis over the stipulated periods while the control groups were not treated with tartrazine. Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out in the within a period of 12 months (December 2017 -December 2018). Methodology: At the end of the chronic study, 5mls of whole blood specimens was collected by means of cardiac puncture into Lithium Heparin bottles and fluoride oxalate bottles (for glucose AJRB, 5(1): 1-14, 2019; Article no.AJRB.50623 2 only). The collected specimens were spun, plasma collected and analyzed for glucose, Lipase, AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin and globulin. Renal, hepatic, and pancreatic tissues collected were fixed in 10% formol saline and later examined histologically using H&E stain. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5.03 (San Diego, California, USA). Results: In the chronic treatment, glucose indicated significant increases after 30, 60, and 90 days of chronic treatment at ADI doses. Urea, AST, and ALT showed significantly higher values after 60 of treatment while creatinine, ALP, total protein, albumin and globulin indicated significantly higher values after 90 days of treatment. However, lipase did not show any significant difference after 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Histologically, hepatic distortions such as fatty degeneration, vacuolation, pcynosis, and compression of central vein were seen in the liver section. In the renal section, hyaline cast in proximal tubules, hypercellularity of messengial cells, and inflammation of the glomerulus were observed in the treated rats while the histology of the pancreas indicated mild vacuolation of the islet region. However, the pancreatic ducts and acinar cells were not distorted. Conclusion: The administration of tartrazine over a period of 30 days at ADI dose did not indicate hepatocellullar and renal derangements as well histological distortions in liver, pancreas and kidneys. However, after 60 and 90 days, mild hepatocellular, pancreatic, and renal derangements were seen. Original Research Article

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The effects of pioglitazone alone and in combination with either sulphonylurea or metformin on the atherogenic risk predictor indices of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits were studied using five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of rabbits. Results of the mean values of plasma glucose, lipoproteins and atherogenic risk predictor indices determined after 4 and 8 weeks of drug administration showed that the plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL levels significantly (p<0.05) decreased while HDL-cholesterol significantly (p<0.05) increased in the treated groups C, D and E when compared to group B, the diabetic control, after 4 weeks of drug administration. A greater positive effect was recorded after 8 weeks. The mean values of atherogenic risk predictor indices--LDL-C/HDL-C and log (TG/HDL-C) after 4 and 8 weeks of drug administration were found to be significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the treated groups C, D and E when compared to group B (diabetic control) with a greater decrease also occurring after 8 weeks. The findings also showed positive synergistic effects of co-administered antidiabetic drugs like sulphonylurea and metformin on the atherogenic risk predictor indices.