No abstract

This study examined the effect of chronic administration of PDE5 inhibitors and tramadol on haematological indices because of their reported high incidence of abuse. Additionally, the possibility of reversal of negative effects following withdrawal of treatment was examined. Fifty male rats (180 -200g body weight) were grouped into five (n = 10), namely: control, sildenafil, tadalafil, tramadol and sildenafil+tramadol group. The different groups were orally treated with 0.2mL normal saline, sildenafil (1 mg/100gb.w.), tadalafil (1 mg/100gb.w.), tramadol (2 mg/100g b.w.) and sildenafil + tramadol (1 &2 mg/100gb.w. respectively). Treatment was done thrice a week, for 8 weeks and the animals were allowed access to feed and water ad libitum. Five animals were sacrificed per group, while the remaining 5/group continued for another 8 weeks without drug administration (recovery test).Blood samples were collected from each animal via cardiac puncture at the end of both phases for assessment of haematological parameters. Red blood cells (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution wide standard deviation (RDW-SD), white blood cells (WBCs) count, platelets count, mean platelets volume (MPV) and platelets large cell ratio (P-LCR) were significantly reduced in all the treated groups compared with the control. Following withdrawal of treatment, RBC count, Hb concentration, PCV and red cell absolute values were significantly increased in all recovery groups compared with their respective treated groups. Haematological alterations were reversed following withdrawal of treatment. However, platelet indices were poorly reversed in sildenafil and tramadol recovery groups.

Objective: This present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the effect of consumption of leaves extract of mistletoe on the concentration of some serum sex hormones (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and prolactin) in rats. Methods: Twenty-four (24) female albino Wistar rats (210-250 g final body weight) were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 (control) took normal rat chow + drinking water. Group 2, extract treated-1 (ET-1), group 3, extract treated-2 (ET-2) and group 4, extract treated-3 (ET-3) in addition received 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg respectively of V. album extract p.o once daily. The feeding regimens lasted for 4 weeks. Results: The serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin in control group were 0.95±0.09 μIU/mL, 1.21±0.10 μIU/mL, 6.78±0.19 ng/mL and 1.86±0.09 ng/mL respectively. FSH levels was significantly (p<0.05) higher in ET-1 compared with control and ET-3. Serum concentrations of LH and testosterone were significantly (p<0.05) higher in ET-1 and ET-2 compared with control; LH and testosterone concentrations were in turn significantly (p<0.01) lower in ET-3 compared with ET-1 and ET-2. Prolactin decreased significantly (p<0.05) in ET-1 and ET-2 compared with control. Conclusion: Moderate and controlled doses of mistletoe extract increases serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone but decreases prolactin concentrations, which could enhance reproductive functions in normal persons and those with loss-of reproductive function. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 87-90 http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.9593

No abstract