BackgroundMethotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used antineoplastic and anti-rheumatoid agent whose efficacy is limited by marked organ toxicities associated with oxidative stress. The study investigated beneficial effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation on MTX-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.MethodsRats were divided into 4 groups (n = 6): Control, MTX (20 mg/kg bw), VCO (5%) + MTX and VCO (15%) + MTX. The pre-treatment with VCO for 14 days was followed by single intraperitoneal injection of MTX and the rats were sacrificed after 3 days. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were also evaluated.ResultsMTX induced a distinct diminution in serum activities of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), while lipid peroxidation considerably increased demonstrated by MDA level. Similarly, levels of IL-6, CRP and NO increased prominently in MTX control rats. The VCO supplementation markedly enhanced resistance to the MTX-induced biochemical alterations in rats.ConclusionVCO can be a useful adjuvant natural product in MTX chemotherapy by reducing oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of balanitoside in diabetic rats. Methods Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups. Rats in groups 2 to 5 were treated with streptozotocin to induce hyperglycemia. In addition, rats in groups 1 and 2 received 1 mL of distilled water, whereas those in groups 3, 4, and 5 received 10 and 20 mg/kg balanitoside and 6 U/kg insulin, respectively, for 14 days. All rats were sacrificed on day 15, blood samples were collected, and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The liver was processed for examination under a light microscope. Results The results showed a significant decrease in liver protein concentrations in diabetic control rats, compared to those in the normal control rats and rats treated with 10 mg/kg balanitoside ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ALP levels among all groups. However, a significant increase in ALT and AST levels was observed in the diabetic control rats, compared to those in the normal control rats ( p < 0.05). Photomicrographs of the liver of the diabetic control rats showed fat and glycogen droplets, vacuolated nuclei, and loss of cellular boundaries, whereas those of the rats treated with balanitoside or insulin showed a small amount of microvesicular fat droplets and slight infiltration of lymphocytes. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest the therapeutic effects of balanitoside in the liver of diabetic rats.

Introduction: World scientists are using facial morphometry as a reconstructive option in the treatment of patients and ethnic differentiations. Hence, the authors aimed to study the naso-facial dimensions of northern population in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: About 500 subjects (Igede, n ¼ 260 and Idoma, n ¼ 240) were recruited from schools in the Benue-Plateau valley in 2014-2015 academic session. Notable parameters measured using vernier caliper were upper facial length, lower facial length, total facial indices, nasal length, nasal width, and nasal indices. Also, stature was measured to the nearest centimeters with stadiometer.

Background. Several studies had suggested that complex body stature could be a risk factor of hypertension. Objectives. We aim to correlate body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) of rural dwellers in Afikpo community, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, with blood pressure parameters. Furthermore, we aim to ascertain how each of the anthropometric variables affects blood pressure in men and women, respectively. Materials and Methods. A sample of 400 (200 males and 200 females) adults aged 18–89 years were selected for the correlation cross-sectional study. Data for weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences were collected by means of anthropometric measurement protocol with the aid of a calibrated flexible tape and health scale and mercury sphygmomanometer for measurement of blood pressure. A participant was classified as being hypertensive if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was >140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mmHg. Pulse pressure was recorded as the numeric difference of SBP and DBP. Results. The result revealed that male BMI and WHR were higher than those of females while female WHtR was higher than that of males ( P  < 0.01). The prevalence of hypertension failed to correlate with sex among participants in the study (χ2 = 0.567; P  < 0.05). Variation in SBP and DBP of both sexes was dependent on BMI, WHtR, and waist and hip circumference, but not on WHR. The SBP of both sexes and female pulse pressure did correlate with age ( P  < 0.001). Waist circumference, BMI, and WHtR correctly predicted the variations in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure. Conclusion. The strength of association of BMI, WHtR, and waist girth with SBP and DBP of both sexes was robust and similar, but inconsistent with WHR. Thus, a simple estimation of the trio-anthropometric predictors could serve as a means for routine check or preliminary diagnosis of a patient with hypertension.

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