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This study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced male Wistar rats. Six‐week‐old 36 albino rats of 100–200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p <.05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL‐C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p <.05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL‐C in adipose tissue and plasma (p <.05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL‐C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL‐C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of zinc deficiency on fecal protein, electrolyte, and shortchain fatty acid levels in both heat-stable (ST) and heat-labile (LT) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-induced diarrhea in rats. Methods: Albino rats, weighing 100 to 150 g, were divided into 2 groups, with 15 animals each: non-zinc and zinc-deficient. These two groups were sub-divided into three sub-groups with five rats each: control (saline); LT-ETEC; and ST-ETEC. Sodium phytate (30 mmol/L) was added to the animals' water to induce zinc deficiency, while diarrhea was induced using 5×109 ETEC cells/mL. Fecal protein levels were estimated using the Bradford method, while sodium and potassium levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Shortchain fatty acids were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Among the non-zinc and zinc-deficient groups, there were significant increases (p=0.04), (p=0.03) in fecal protein concentrations (mg/mL) in the LT-ETEC- (4.50±0.33), (6.50±0.26) and ST-ETEC- (3.85±0.19), (5.98±0.32) induced groups compared to the control groups (2.60±0.52), (3.50±0.11) respectively. Fecal sodium and potassium levels (mg/L) were significantly (p=0.029) increased in non-zinc-deficient rats induced with LT-ETEC (9.35±0.95, 1.05±0.48), and ST-ETEC (9.96±1.02, 1.21±0.45) compared with the control group (8.07±0.44, 0.47±0.17) but the increase were not statistically significant (p=0.059) in the zinc deficient rat groups. Fecal acetate and propionate levels (mg/g) significantly (p=0.032) increased when induced with LT-ETEC and ST-ETEC in non-zinc and zinc-deficient groups compared with the control groups. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency among rats with ETEC-induced diarrhea elevated fecal protein loss but may not have an effect on fecal sodium, potassium and short-chain fatty acid levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have implicated reactive oxygen species in perpetuation of inflammation and subse-quent destruction of joints in patients with arthritis. Antioxidant effects of Buchholzia coriacea ethanol leaf-extract, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions on oxidative stress indices in rheumatoid arthritic female Wistar albino rats were examined. 180 rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. Fifteen rats were placed in each group. Rats without arthritis were placed in Group 1. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in groups 2 to 12 by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant into the left hind paws of rats. Group 2 (arthritic rats) did not receive any treatment but rather were given normal saline while group 3 (arthritic rats) received 5 mg/kg indomethacinTM (a standard drug). Rats in Groups 4 to 12 were administered the samples at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight. Freund’s ad-juvant administration led to inflammation and oxidative stress which were marked by significant (P<0.05) increase in paw sizes, oxidative stress markers and reduced body weight of the rats. Arthritic rats were treated with standard drug and samples (at varied doses) and this resulted to reversal of the trend of those parameters in a time and dose-dependent manner. Rats that received 800 mg/kg of the aqueous fraction displayed the best desirable result which was similar to the effect of indomethacin. Thus, Buchholzia coriacea ethanol extract and fractions may be useful in the management of oxidative stress which is very common among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease with a high rate of morbidity and mortality in children below five years of age. Appropriate empirical treatment is therefore vital for reducing the incidence of the disease., Objective: This study aimed at determining the trends in the empirical treatment of hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis., Methods: The study involved the data analysis of 88 medical folders of children who were diagnosed with gastroenteritis from January to February 2020 (a period of gastroenteritis yearly outbreak) in Mile 4 Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Socio-demographic data and administered antibiotics data were collected., Results: Out of the 88 children, a total of 54 (61%) children were males, while 34 (39%) were females. The ages of the children ranged between 1-51 months, while the mean age was seen at 14 months. About 58 (66%) were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis alone, with children aged 7-12 months recording higher numbers [25 (28%)]. Severe dehydration was seen as the most common morbidity of children with acute gastroenteritis. The guardians/parents of these children stayed at home for an average of 3 days (1-6 days) before visiting the hospital. The children were treated for an average of 5 days (2-9 days) in the hospital. The most singly used antibiotics was ciprofloxacin [31 (35%)] followed by a combination of ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone [21 (24%)]. About 12 (14%) of the children were treated using a single dose of the antimalarial drug while 10 (11%) were treated in double combination therapy. The lowest duration in hospitalization (4 days) was seen in the use of a single dose regimen, while the highest hospitalization time (6 days) was seen in the use of a triple dose regimen., Conclusion: The best empirical treatment of acute gastroenteritis may involve the use of ciprofloxacin alone and its combination with ceftriaxone. The severity of gastroenteritis may also be exacerbated with malaria., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)