The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown and calcium and magnesium supplement are being suggested as means of prevention. The objective of this study was to assess magnesium and calcium in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of Nigerian women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Setting was University of Benin Teaching Hospital, in Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study comprising of eleven patients and twenty-three controls. The mean, standard deviation and Standard Error of Mean (SEM) were calculated. Student 't' test method was applied.Plasma calcium was significantly lower in patients than controls (9.2 ± 1.02 Vs 9.98 ± 0.87mg/dl, P 0.043) "t" test. The CSF calcium and magnesium levels were lower in patients than controls, (5.66 ± 1.22 vs 6.67 ± 1.15mg/ dl, P 0.043 and 1.75 ± 0.56 vs 1.91 ± 0.19mg/dl, P 0. < 0.0001) respectively.There is extracellular calcium and magnesium reduction in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia. This reduction may have a cause and effect relationship with these disorders. RÉSUMÉLe calcium extracellulaire et le magnésium au cours de la rééclampsie et l'éclampsie On ne connaìt pas toujours la cause de l'éclampsie et le calcium et le supplément de magnésium ont été suggérés comme moyens de prévention. Cette étude a pour objectif d'évaluer le magnésium et le calcium dans le plasma et dans le liquide céphalo -rachidien chez les femmes nigérianes qui souffrent de la prééclampsie et de l'éclampsie. Le cadre était le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (UBTH) à Benin, au Nigéria. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale qui comprenait onze patientes et vingt-trois témoins. L'écart type de la moyenne et l'Erreur Type de la Moyenne (ETM) ont été calculés. La méthode de test de 't' de l'étudiant a été appliqué. La calcium du plasma était moins élevé chez les patientes que chez les témoins (9,2±, 02 Vs 9,98 ± 0, 87mg/dl) le test de "t". Les niveaux du calcium et du magnésium du liquide céphalo-rachidien (LLR) étaient moins élevés chez les patientes que chez les témoins (5,66 ± 1, 22 Vs 6,67 ± 1, 15mg/dl, P 0,043 et 1, 75 ± 0, 56 Vs 1,91 ± 0, 19mg/dl, P 0, < 0, 0001) respectivement. Il y a une réduction du calcium extracellulaire chez les patientes souffrant de la prééclampsie et de l'éclampsie. Cette réduction pourrait avoir un rapport de cause et d'effect avec ces troubles. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2007; 11[2]:80-85).

Aim: The present study investigated the effects of intensive glucose regulation with combined treatment of Aloe vera gel (a herbal agent) and Metformin in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Methods: Forty rats were assigned to the following groups and treated for 21 days: Group 1 (normal untreated control), Group 2 (untreated diabetic rats, DR), Group 3 (DR + 300 mg/kg PE of Aloe vera ), Group 4 (DR + 2 mg/kg Metformin) and Group 5 (DR + 300 mg/kg PE of Aloe vera + 2 mg/kg Metformin). The effect of the treatments on fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, lipid profile, renal function, atherogenic index, pancreas and kidney histopathologies were assessed. Results: FBG level in Group 5 rats decreased by 28.4, 38.0 and 69.0% at Day 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Hyperlipidaemia, high atherogenic index, increased plasma creatinine and urea levels observed in the diabetic rats were ameliorated by the single and combined treatments with Aloe vera and Metformin. Reduced level of HDL-cholesterol in the untreated diabetic rats significantly improved by 160.0, 89.8 and 178.7% respectively in Group 3, 4 and 5 animals. The pancreas and kidney histopathologies indicated signs of recovery in Group 5 rats unlike those of Group 2 that had evidence of necrotic cells in both the acini and islet in pancreas and total glomeruli erosion in kidney. Conclusion: Aloe vera in combination with Metformin for treatment of diabetic patients could avert diabetes-associated dyslipidaemia, improve cellular integrity and increase, thereby preventing patients from risk of cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure.

An investigation into the bioactive compounds in Synedrella nodiflora (leaf) and Vossia cuspidata (stem) was carried out. Soxhlet extraction, aqueous extraction and wet extraction methods were carried out using chloroform and water as the solvents. The extract obtained for Vossia cuspidata stems was 14.0%, 12.6% and 7.85% while that of Synedrella nodiflora leaves were 11.85%, 9.05% and 5.30% respectively. Phytochemical analysis of Vossia cuspidata stem showed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins while saponins, antiquinones, phlobatannins and steroids were absent. On the other hand, Synedrella nodiflora leaf extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phlobatannins and saponins; however, flavonoids, terponoids, glycosides and antiquinones were absent. The significant of this work lies in the use of both plants in the treatment of important ailments, Synedrella nodiflora for measles, stimulants, relaxant, malaria, etc. and Vossia cuspidata are used for skin burns, bed sore, cough, wounds and inflammation.

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Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein that is produced by cells in the male prostate gland. An increase in PSA levels is associated with prostate inflammation, prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. This work provides information on the values of Kidney function indices and PSA in apparently normal ageing men residing within the Eastern zone of Kogi State, Nigeria. The subjects were divided into different groups based on their age range. There was a gradual increased in PSA and serum urea as the age increases. Keyword: Kidney, Prostate cancer, Prostate Specific Antigen, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine