Olorunfemi O.J

The impact of crude oil mixed meal on cellular status and oxidative stress markers in rat’s heart homogenates was studied. 35 Wistar rats of similar weight were randomly divided into 7 groups as follows; Group 1 control (normal chow), Group 2 (Treated with 3.88g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 3 (Treated with 7.75g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 4 (Treated with 15.51g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 5 (Treated with 32.01g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 6 (Treated with 62.02g/kg crude oil mixed meal), and Group 7 (myocardial infarct-induced group). Treatments in various groups were administered for 8 weeks (exposure period) and were later withdrawn for 2 weeks (withdrawal period). 5 ml of blood was taken from all groups via cardiac puncture in both phases for analysis for electrolytes estimations, haematological parameters, lipid profiles, and liver enzyme assay. Heart tissues were taken and homogenized and prepared for cardiac oxidative stress markers analysis, were extrapolated and calculated. Results from various laboratory analyses were statistically analysed using ANOVA (SPSS) and presented in tables and charts with level of significance at P ≤0.05. Haematological indices, electrolytes liver enzymes profile, lipid parameters and oxidative stress markers all presented marked increase during the exposure phase of six weeks. In the withdrawal phase, virtually all the above measured parameters were reversed and the corresponding biological effects ameliorated. The implications of the above extrapolates in both phases indicated that crude oil exposure could trigger, electrolyte imbalance, cellular disruptions, liver assault, and can be highly detrimental and delirious to cells while withdrawal from the contaminated meal was observed to reversed the entire scenarios. In conclusion, crude oil contaminated feed on cardiovascular integrity and risk factors could be a huge challenge and a potent pre-disposing scenario to various debilitating diseases of the heart on prolonged exposure.

This study investigated the behavioral and motor responses of induced fear in Wistar rats. Twenty-five wister rats used in this experiment were divided into five groups with each group comprising of five rats. Group I received low dose of glutamate receptor antagonist (GRA), Group II received high dose of GRA, Group III were given low dose of adrenaline, Group IV were given high dose of adrenaline while Group V (control group) were given normal saline. These animals were made to undergo two sets of tests viz; One, Induced Fear and Emotional Reactivity (IFER) Test using light/dark automatic reflex conditioned box to test for their threshold for fear shortly after induction using foot-shock method. The degree of passivity, grooming and escape attempt were noted and recorded and their respective cognitive recovery potentials were measured. Two, the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) Test was employed to assess their level of fear expression under drug influence. The results and extrapolations suggested that groups administered with glutamate receptor antagonist in both low and high concentrations expressed less enhanced alertness, mental cognition and general awareness in both the light and dark compartments on a short time basis with activities characterized with passivity, grooming and  attempt to escape when compared with those sets of observations in the adrenaline-administered groups both in short and long term durations with much significant influence (p< 0.05). The results of the elevated maze plus (EPM) test followed the same pattern. The present results indicate that induced fear significantly interfered with cognitive activities and normal patterned behaviour in animals and the consequence of this psychic interference played out apparently in after-fear potential (a set of relatively new set of behavioural patterns. The cognitive recovery potential was significantly (p< 0.05) slowest in the glutamate antagonist groups and fastest (p< 0.05) in the adrenaline groups. These observations suggest that excitatory agonists like thiopental (glutamate receptor antagonist) may lack the ability to ameliorate stress-laden influence on brain cognitive circuitry but stress hormones such as adrenaline do in extremely significant fashion.

The effect of crude oil contaminated feed on cardiovascular integrity and risk factors in wistar rats was studied. 35 Wistar rats of similar weight were randomly divided into 7 groups as follows; Group 1 control (normal chow), Group 2 (Treated with 3.88g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 3 (Treated with 7.75g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 4 (Treated with 15.51g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 5 (Treated with 32.01g/kg crude oil mixed meal), Group 6 (Treated with 62.02g/kg crude oil mixed meal), and Group 7 (myocardial infarct-induced group). Treatments in various groups were administered for 8 weeks (exposure period) and were later withdrawn for 2 weeks (withdrawal period). The blood pressures (Systolic, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) were recorded in both phases, 5 ml of blood was taken from all groups via cardiac puncture in both phases for analysis of lipid profiles. Cardiovascular Risk Indices (Castelli Risk index I & II, Atherogenic index of plasma, and atherogenic coefficient) were extrapolated and calculated. Results from various laboratory analyses were statistically analysed using ANOVA (SPSS) and presented in tables and charts with level of significance at P ≤0.05. Blood pressure estimates and lipid parameters all presented marked increase during the exposure phase of six weeks. Similarly, cardiovascular risk indices were aggravated significantly (P ≤0.05) during the same period. In the withdrawal phase, virtually all the above measured parameters were reversed and the corresponding biological effects ameliorated. The implications of the above extrapolates in both phases indicated that crude oil exposure could trigger lipid peroxidation, electrolyte imbalance, cellular disruptions, and can be highly detrimental and delirious to cells while withdrawal from the contaminated meal was observed to reverse the entire scenarios. In conclusion, crude oil contaminated feed on cardiovascular integrity and risk factors could be a major pre-disposing scenario for biologic derangement and down-regulation of cellular bio-functions in living organisms at estuaries and among riverine dwellers.

Slim green tea is a popular brand of tea that supports weight reduction and maintenance. High consumption of this tea in worldwide populations is a major concern to researchers and medical personnel, as regards its benefits or dangers to human health. Therefore the aim of research was to ascertain impact of slim green tea on some oxidative stress markers in heart and brain tissues, lipid profile, and cognitive functions in Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats weighing between 120g and 150g were acclimatized for 2 weeks, they were separated into 5 groups; a control Group (Group 1) and Groups (2, 3, 4 and 5) which served as test groups. Various doses of slim green tea extract (50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg) and a dose of vitamin E (100mg/kg) were administered orally for four weeks to the different groups of rats (2, 3, 4 and 5) respectively, while control group received normal chaw and water ad libitum. The results indicated that slim green tea extract caused dose-dependent significant decrease (p≤0.05) on Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and a dose-dependent significant increase (p≤0.05) on Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), and Catalase (CAT) levels in tissues of heart and brain in Wistar rats. The result showed high doses of slim green tea extract seemed more functional in increasing antioxidant properties in brain tissue than in heart tissue. Treatment of test groups with varied doses of tea extract on serum lipid profile demonstrated a dose-dependent significant decrease (p≤0.05) on total cholesterol and HDL levels in every group compared to control group. The extract equally caused a significant decrement on LDL level and an insignificant effect on triglyceride level when administered at 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg respectively, while dose of 150mg/kg increased LDL and triglyceride levels significantly. Results on cognitive assessment in brain showed slim green tea had no cognition-enhancing property. These findings suggest intake of slim green tea has beneficial effect especially as regard cardio-protection and neuro-oxidative protection but no effect on cognition.