University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Comparative Study of the Antioxidant Effects of Metformin, Glibenclamide, and Repaglinide in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the serious global health problems affecting a significant proportion of both developed and developing countries. Overproduction of free radicals and oxidative stress has been associated with the development of diabetic complications. In the present study, the antioxidant effects of metformin (MET), glibenclamide (GLI), and repaglinide (REP) were evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The findings from this study may possibly help in understanding the efficacy of these standard drugs in managing the complications arising from diabetes mellitus (DM). Alloxan (130 mg/kg BW) was administered as a single dose to induce diabetes. Four (4) groups of rats (n = 6) were used; group 1 served as diabetic control while groups 2, 3, and 4 were the diabetic test groups that received MET (25 mg/kg), GLI (2.5 mg/kg), and REP (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. The result of the study showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the altered antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) and GSH concentration in diabetic treated rats compared with the diabetic control group. MET and REP produced significant effect on the MDA concentration while GLI showed insignificant reduction in the MDA concentration compared with the diabetic control. Findings from this study suggest that the administration of MET, GLI, and REP exerts significant antioxidant effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, thus contributing to the protective effect against oxidative stress-induced damage during diabetic complications.

Investigation of the physicochemical properties of microcrystalline cellulose from agricultural wastes I: orange mesocarp

Abstract: Orange mesocarp was obtained after removal of the epicarp and the endocarp from oranges. It was dried, pulverized and digested with 2% w/v sodium hydroxide at 80°C for 3 h. Alpha- and micro-crystalline celluloses were extracted from the pulp using 17.5% w/v and 2.5 N hydrochloric acid, respectively. The physicochemical and powder properties of the extracted material were evaluated. Results obtained showed that the yield of α-cellulose from the orange mesocarp was 62.5% and that of microcrystalline cellulose 25.3%. The total water-soluble substances were 0.0018 g/g, ash 0.00035 g/g and the true density 1.760 g cm−1, while the pH and hydration capacity are 6.61 and 2.916, respectively. Elemental analysis of the cellulose ash shows the absence of Pb and Mn and the preponderance of K, Na and Fe. The water sorption profile of the microcrystalline cellulose was also studied.

An in-depth study of patent medicine sellers' perspectives on malaria in a rural Nigerian community

Abstract: Malaria remains a major cause of mortality among under five children in Nigeria. Most of the early treatments for fever and malaria occur through self-medication with antimalarial drugs bought from medicine sellers. These have led to increasing calls for interventions to improve treatment obtained in these outlets. However, information about the current practices of these medicine sellers is needed before such interventions. This study aims to determine the medicine sellers' perspectives on malaria and the determinants that underlie their dispensing patterns of antimalarial drugs. The study was conducted in Ugwugo-Nike, a rural community in south-east Nigeria. It involved in-depth interviews with 13 patent medicine sellers. A majority of the medicine sellers were not trained health professionals and malaria is recognized as a major health problem by them. There is poor knowledge and poor dispensing behaviour in relation to childhood malaria episodes. Although referral of severe malaria is common, there are those who will not refer. Verbal advice is rarely given to the care-givers. More action research and interventions to improve prescription and referral practices and giving verbal advice to care-givers is recommended. Ways to integrate the drug sellers in the health system are also recommended.

Recovery of velogenic Newcastle disease virus from dead and healthy free‐roaming birds in Nigeria

Abstract: Fourteen Newcastle disease virus isolates were recovered, 10 from dead birds (nine chickens and one guinea fowl) and four from apparently healthy, free-roaming birds (one chicken, two ducks and one pigeon) in Nigeria. The pathogenicity indices showed all the isolates to be velogenic.