The hypolipidaemic effects of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Telfairia occidentalis(TO) diet preparations on the lipid profile of rats were compared. The rats were fed for 28 days on diet specially formulated to contain 5%, 15% and 30% by weight of the leaves of each plant respectively while the control groups were fed standard rat diet. The serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined on blood samples collected on the 28 th day. The results show that at equal concentrations that the TO diet preparation induced a significantly lower total cholesterol levels than the GL diet preparation. At the 5% treatments, GL produced a significantly lower serum TGs while at the 15% and 30% treatments there were no significant differences between the effects of the two vegetable diets. For LDL-C, the results show that GL induced a significantly lower LDL-C level relative to the TO diet preparation. The results show also indicate that TO induced a significantly higher serum HDL-C level when compared to GL at the 5% and 15% concentrations. The general results from the study suggest that both GL and TO diet preparations may have equal effects on the lipid profile of wistar rats.

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as membrane stabilizers was investigated on the kidney of experimental rats treated with sodium metabisulph te. Administration of sodium metabisulphite has been shown to labilize the plasma membrane of some rat tissues. Sodium metabisulphite (10 mg/kg b.wt) acetylsalicylic while both chemical substances of same dose were both chemicals were concurrently administered to three group o rats for two weeks (14 days) while the fourth (4th) group of rats served as control and were given physiological saline alone. Two 'marker' enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were spectrophotometrically determined to monitor the efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid in membrane stabilization. Following the initial administration of metabisulphite alone, immediate significant decreases (p < 0.05) in ALP activities were observed. The activity latter recovered towards control value by the tenth day. For ACP, the loss in activities was sustained throughout the experimental period. However, the difference showed no sign f cant d f erence (p > 0.05). In acety sal cy ic acid admin stered rats the activities of ALP were higher than for the control group while the activities of ACP were not appreciably affected. The combined treatment gave values that were not significantly dif erent from the control values (p < 0.05).

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methanol leaf extract of Vitex doniana (MEVd) on Cadmium chloride -induced toxicity in the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats was investigated. Twenty five male Wistar rats weighing 171.87 ± 7.86g were acclimatized for two weeks and subsequently randomized into five groups: Group 1 rats were administered daily 1 ml distilled water (control group); group 2 were administered Cadmium chloride (10 mg/kg b.w.) only; groups 3 and 4 were administered MEVd (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. respectively) six hours prior administration of Cd (10 mg Cd/kg b.w.) and group 5 rats were administered MEVd (400 mg/kg/b.w.) only. The experiment lasted six weeks and all administration was carried out orally. The final body weights of the rats were recorded at the end of the experiment and afterwards the rats were sacrificed, blood was collected and the serum was subsequently prepared. The kidneys and liver were excised, weighed and then stored in 10% formalin for histological examination. The serum was used for the determination of urea, creatinine, Na+, K+, and Cl-concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and total bilirubin (T-Bil) concentration. The results showed that exposure of the rats to Cd significantly (p < 0.05) increased kidney weight, serum urea, creatinine, Na+, K+, Cl-and total bilirubin concentrations as well as serum ALT and AST activities. Cd-induced toxicity also caused severe necrosis of the tubular epithelial cells in the nephrons and degeneration of the hepatocytes. Although both doses of the plant extract significantly ameliorated these changes, the amelioration at 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract compared well with the control in most of the parameters investigated. In conclusion, the oral administration of methanol leaf extract of Vitex doniana ameliorated the Cd-induced toxicity related biochemical parameters and histological changes in the rats.

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The effect of theobromine, a cocoa alkaloid, on total serum protein, albumin, iron and transferrin were investigated in albino rats of wistar strain. Theobromine was administered intraperitoneally to three groups of rats B, C, and D, weighing between 200-250g averagely. Groups B, C and D respectively received 2.5mg/kg body weight, 5.0mg/kg body weight and 7.5mg/kg body weight of theobromine repeatedly for 3 days and the control group A received physiological saline. Blood obtained from the sacrificed animal 24 hours later was collected in iron-free centrifuge tube, allowed to clot for an hour and serum separated by centrifugation. Results obtained showed that there was a statistically significant (P<0.05) dose dependent increase in mean serum iron in the test groups B, C and D. However serum transferrin levels showed a statistically significant (P< 0.05) decrease in the test groups B, C and D compared with control. Mean values of total serum protein in group B, C and D showed no significant difference (P>0.05) when compared with the control. Also serum albumin showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the test groups from the control. Consequence of elevated serum iron and lowered transferrin levels are discussed in relation to iron transport and erythropoiesis.