Olorunfemi O. Joyce

The growth profile of preschool children living in some rural areas of Bayelsa state was studied. The number of children studied was three hundred (300) out of which 158 were males and 142 were females. The result from the analysis of the anthropometric data obtained showed 93.5% of the children to be normal, 6.5% have mild PEM while non of the children had moderate nor severe PEM. The standard used for this study was the NCHS/WHO (1977) anthropometric data. The overall mean (x) weight for-age-for the male children was 17.5kg while that for the female children was 17.0kg.on the other hand, the overall mean (x) height for-age-for both male and female children is 1.11m. The mean height for-age-for female children aged 2, 3.5 and 5 years was higher than that of the male children by 0.3, 0.1 and 0.11m. the mean weight for-age-for male children and 2,3, 3.5 and 5 years is higher than that of the female children by 0.7kg , 0.3kg, 0.7kg and 1.11kg respectively. The occupational level of the parent is reflected on the growth profile of the children, for instance parent whose occupation were carpenters and unemployed contributed immensely to the 6.5% of children having mild PEM. The result showed that the children are well nourished. This is contrary to what is popularly believed of children in the childworld countries. Key word: Protein Energy Malnutrition, World Health Organisation, National Center For Health Statistic, Anthropometry

This study is designed to investigate the cytoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca in combination with catecholamines on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer. The pylorus ligation technique was used for cytoprotective and Anti-secretory action of the extract. Ulcerated control received distilled water, Group II - IV received 0.5 ml of the plant extract orally for 14 days. The rats were fasted for 48 hours after the end of the second week. 50mg/kg of adrenalin (Epinephrine) was administered to members of group II and 50mg/kg of dopamine was administered to members of group III. One hour later the animals were sacrificed, the stomachs were removed by laparastomy. The gastric lesions in the glandular region were assessed and measured to determine the ulcer index. Pylorus ligation in the group II, III and IV showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the ulcer index compared to group I. The ulcer index of Group I was 14.8±3.5 compared to Group II (8.2±1.4), Group III (4.8±1.7), and Group IV (3.0±1.1). The extract also showed 67.57% ulcer protection index against indomethacin. Results of the anti-secretory activity of the extract showed that treatment with M. paradisiaca resulted in a significant increase in gastric fluid after histamine stimulation when compared with the negative control as well as protect rats from ulceration after histamine administration. The results suggested that the methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca possess cytoprotective effect against indomethacin-induced ulceration. This effect was however decreased when the extract is administered with catecholamines.

To study the effects of ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina(VA) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG)on the testes of diabetic rats, thirty-two male rats were used. Control consisted of eight (8) rats which served as non- diabetic control, receiving sodium citrate daily. The remaining rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin(65mg/kg) to induce diabetes. The rats confirmed diabetic were randomly divided into three experimental groups (1, 2 and 3) made up of eight rats each. Group 1 received 6IU/kg of insulin. Group 2 was given 100mg/kg body weight of Vernonia amygdalina and 200mg/kg body weight of Ocimum gratissimum combined daily. Group 3 served as the diabetic control and was given distilled water. The entire investigation lasted for 6 weeks. Results revealed typical testicular architecture in the normal control. Diabetic control exhibited alteration of germinal epithelium, distortion of seminiferous tubules as well as vacuolation of seminiferous tubules. The effects of the extracts on diabetic rats’ testes showed improvements compared to the diabetic control group. It is therefore safe to speculate that the extracts of these plants used especially when combined exert some significant improvement in combating the adverse effects of diabetes on the testes of male rats.

In the present study, the effects of pre-treatment with catecholamine on indomethacin-induced ulcer were studied. Rats were exposed to various treatments with epinephrine and dopamine 30 minutes before ulcer was induced using NSAID (indomethacin). Experimental ulceration was induced in fasted rats using Indomethacin (40mg/kg.p.o). Four hours later after indomethacin administration, the stomachs were opened under thiopentane anesthesia and the ulcer area scored by planimetry. Sections of the stomachs were prepared for histology and stained for apoptotic cell count. Acid secretion was also studied in the control and treated animals by pylorus ligation technique. Indomethacin treatment resulted in the formation of ulcer with ulcer index of 5.0±0.5 while the pre-treatment with catecholamine significantly reduced ulceration episodes (epinephrine: ulcer index=3.0±0.7, dopamine: ulcer index=2.0±0.7, p

The analgesic effect of the ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was studied in rats using the following models; Acetic acid induce writing, Thermal test (HOT PLATE), Formalin induced pain test. The results for all the models showed dose dependent and were significant (P