EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF BOILED FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis) SEEDS ON SERUM LIPID PROFILE, ATHEROGENIC INDICES AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN PROFILE OF MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Author: Ude Tochukwu
Department: Medical Laboratory
Affiliation: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka

The study is aimed at investigating the effect of Telfairia occidentalis seed diet on the serum lipid profile, immmunoglobulins and atherogenic indices of adult male albino wistar rats. This is an animal experimental control study. A total of (N) 40 male albino wistar rats weighing 120-136 g with the age range of 8 to 10 weeks were divided into four groups (n) of 10 rats each and designated A to D. The groups were given the dose of 0.0, 12.5, 37.5 and 75g of T. occidentalis per body weight respectively for 28 days. Blood samples were taken from the animals and subjected to various biochemical analysis. Serum concentrations of lipids and immune-globulins were estimated using the colorimetric and immune-turbidometric methods, respectively. Data were analysed using SPSS software application (version 16.0) and expressed as Mean ± Standard deviation. The results revealed significant decreases in total cholesterol (2.00±0.24 to 1.76±0.24), LDL-C (0.34±0.17 to 0.27±0.05), VLDL, (0.20±0.05 to 0.14±0.05), and NHDL-C (0.74±0.13 to 0.23±0.12) while significant increases were observed in IgG (1.08±0.35 to 2.10±0.43), HDL (1.26±0.12 to 1.53±0.14) and body weight (33.39±6.26 to 91.50±5.23) when compared with the control group (p0.05). The diet supplementation also led to significant decreases in atherogenic indices; CRR (1.53±0.15 to 1.14 ± 0.07), AC (0.71±0.40 to 0.14±0.07) and AIP (-0.05±0.06 to -0.31±0.12) when compared to the control group (p<0.05). These results indicate a likely potential dose dependent immunomodulative and cardio-protective mechanism of the seeds of T. occidentalis against the possible development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

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TREATMENT OF ANTIBIOTIC-INDUCED DIARRHOEA IN WISTAR RATS USING PROBIOTIC LACTOBACILLUS SALIVARIUS ISOLATED FROM HUMAN SALIVA

Author: Ezeumeh Eucharia Nkiruka
Department: Applied Microbiology
Affiliation: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka

In this study, Lactobacillus salivarius was isolated from human saliva by culture technique using MRS medium, identified through relevant biochemical protocols, and compared to a known control of Lactobacillus acidophilus sourced from Puritan Pride Inc., Qadelade, New York, USA. Primary isolation of microorganisms of interest was carried out at Cheznik Diagnostic and Research laboratories while animal preparation and treatment was carried out at Animal Farm, Mgbakwu Awka. Twenty wistar rats were used as the test animals and another twenty for positive control. The animals in the test group were induced to diarrhea using 1ml of castor oil following 12- hour fasting while the control group were fed with daily feed and distilled water. The test animals upon production of diarrhoeic stool were fed with 1 x 109 cfu/ml (410 mg/dl w/v) of the Lactobacillus sp isolate in distilled water. The diarrhoea was resolved within 24 hours of treatment. The average weights of the animals taken just after preparation and early treatment (Tx) showed appreciable loss in weight among the test animals possibly due to stress compared to initial weight at T0. However, upon continued treatment with the isolate, obvious weight gain (Tf) compared to Tx was observed. The results of the haematological data at the final analysis showed proximal values and consistency to that of control group following administration of the Lactobacillus sp isolate. The routine general health data of the test animals showed marked improvement upon treatment with the isolate. Test of significance at 0.05 showed a positive agreement (p<0.05). The isolated Lactobacillus sp showed marked sensitivity to erythromycin, ceftazidine, and chloromphenicol antimicrobial drugs just like other known probiotic strains .No known health hazard or death was recorded. From the study, it was observed that saliva can also proffer a good site in addition to gut and ileum for the isolation of probiotic microorganisms. It has also shown that the presumptive Lactobacillus salivarius, though strain-specific, possesses probiotic properties effective in resolving most gut issues but especially in diarrhoeic cases.

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