Albendazole potentiates the neurotoxic effect of ivermectin in rat

The study was carried out to investigate whether an interaction between albendazole and ivermectin could lead to enhanced central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Ivermectin (0.4mg/kg body weight (b.w)) and/or albendazole (15mg/kg b.w) were daily and orally administered to albino rats for 14 days. Activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT), Na+-K+ ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase and malondialdehyde (MDA) level which are considered essential to correct functioning of the brain were determined. The co-administration of the two drugs significantly caused reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of brain ACP, ALP, Na+-K+ ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase with corresponding increase in the serum. Separate administration of ivermectin or albendazole did not show any significant changes (p>0.05) in the activity of these enzymes. These suggest that in the presence of albendazole, ivermectin is able to reach the CNS and impair its function through neurochemical changes. Also, co-administration of ivermectin and albendazole led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in brain CAT activity as well as serum and brain MDA concentrations. This may be an indication that the drugs have other mechanisms of action, such as increasing oxidative damage in the CNS. Overall, these findings suggest that both drugs exert additive effect when co-administered.Keywords: Combination therapy, enhanced CNS toxicity, ATPase

Haematological evaluation in rats following administration of some antisickling agents

The effect of oral administration of thiocyanate, tellurite and hydroxyurea on haematological profile in albino rats was investigated in this study. Rats were divided into four groups. Control group received distilled water while the three experimental groups were administered with each of the antisickling drug daily at their therapeutic dose for a period of 28 days. All the drugs significantly increased packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the blood of the rats in vivo. Hydroxyurea and thiocyanate caused significant reduction in red cell distribution width (RDW), platelets count and reticulocytes. Tellurite significantly reduced (

Evaluation of the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the methanolic extract of Acalypha racemosa leaf in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats

The effects of simultaneous treatment of CCl4 with 60 and 120 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of Acalypha racemosa on rat liver were evaluated. Analysis of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities with those of the concentrations of albumin, total protein, unconjugated and total bilirubin was carried out. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liverwas determined to investigate a probable mechanism of action of the extract. Histopathological studies were carried out to confirm the observed changes. Administration of CCl4 alone to rats significantlyincreased total bilirubin concentration and the activities of ALT and AST (

Cofactor interactions in the activation of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase: Synergistic effects of Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions

The interactions of Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions in the activation of non-specific tissue alkaline phosphatase were investigated using crude extracts of rat kidney. Activation of alkaline phosphatase by the metal ions was accompanied by changes in the kinetic parameters of  nitrophenylphosphate hydrolysis. The results suggest some synergistic interactions between Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions in promoting the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylphosphate by alkaline phosphatase. The results show that assays of alkaline phosphatase activity in homogenised tissuesamples will give better responses if both Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions are included in the reaction

Activation of Rat Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase by Taurine May be an Alternative Mechanism of Endotoxemic Injury Protection

Investigation of the effect of taurine on the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) by rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP), L-phenylalanine inhibition of ALP and the mechanism of ALP activation by taurine as well as its role in endotoxemic injury protection was carried out. Rat intestinal ALP was exposed to taurine, and L-phenylalanine at varying concentrations and periods of time. Substrate concentration-dependent kinetic analysis was carried out at 10 mM concentration of taurine and 5.17mM of p-NPP. The concentration dependent kinetic analysis of L-phenylalanine was also investigated at 60 mM. The partially purified rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity was also investigated in the presence of taurine. Their interactive effect on L-phenylalanine inhibition was also analyzed. Investigation of the effect of taurine on rat intestinal ALP hydrolysis of p-NPP revealed that taurine is an activator of intestinal ALP. At 10 mM taurine and 60 mM L-phenylalanine, taurine relieved L-phenylalanine inhibition of rat intestinal ALP. The effect of lipopolysaccharide in the absence and presence of taurine on ALP activity was also carried out in vivo. The kinetic analysis of the data from the in vivo study revealed that rat intestinal ALP activity is higher (12x10-3nmol -1min-1mg protein) in the presence of taurine and LPS when compared with the activity in the presence of LPS (9x10-3nmol-1min-1mg protein) or taurine (8.8x10-3nmol-1min-1mg protein) alone. From this study, it may be concluded that the activation of rat intestinal ALP by taurine may be one of the mechanisms of endotoxemic injury protection.Keywords: Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase, Taurine, Endotoxemic , Lipopolysaccharid

Catalytic cofactors (Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions) influence the pattern of vanadate Inhibition of the monoesterase activity of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase

The mechanism of modulation of vanadate inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity by catalytic cofactors has not been fully characterized. We investigated the effect of the interaction of catalytic cofactors (Mg2+ and Zn2+) and vanadate (an active site inhibitor) on the rate of hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) (monoesterase reaction) by calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP). The results showed that vanadate significantly inhibited ʻcofactor-freeʼ CIAP, and the inhibition was relieved by the presence of the catalytic cofactors in the reaction. Our results show that the absence of the cofactors did not significantly alter the Km of the reaction, but caused a decrease in the Vmax. Kinetic analyses showed that vanadate inhibited CIAP-catalyzed hydrolysis of pNPP by decreasing the Vmax and increasing the Km of the reaction. The presence of cofactors in the reaction alleviated the effect of vanadate by increasing the Vmax and decreasing the Km. The activity of the dialyzed CIAP was increased by the addition of catalytic cofactors to vanadate-inhibited enzyme. This study provides preliminary data that reversible inhibition of CIAP is subject to the influence of catalytic cofactors. Further studies will reveal detailed mechanistic aspects of this observation and its significance in the biological system.Keywords: alkaline phosphatase, monoesterase reaction, vanadate inhibition, catalytic cofactor

Vitamin E Attenuates Toxic Effects of Combined Administration of Ivermectin And Albendazole in Selected Rat Tissues

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Effects of storage conditions and periods on glycoalkaloid content and nutritional value of Solanum tuberosum

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of storage conditions and periods on glycoalkaloid content and nutritional value of Solanum tuberosum. Freshly harvested tubers of Solanum tuberosum were purchased from terminal market in Jos and the glycoalkaloids contentand proximate evaluation of the stored tubers were carried out based on the length of storage. The tubers were randomly grouped into 9. Groups 1-4 represent tubers stored for a period of 1-4 week(s) respectively under sunlight at room temperature while group 5 represents the control, inwhich the glycoalkaloids content was determined immediately after purchase. Tubers in groups 6- 9 were stored in the dark for 1-4 weeksrespectively. The results showed that the concentration of glycoalkaloid (900mg/100g ±0.01) in gr oup 5 tubers is significantly low (p<0.05) when compared with groups 1-4 tubers. Also the glycoalk aloids concentrations (1050mg/100g±0.01, 1100 mg/100g±0.01, 1200mg/100g±0.01 and1350mg/100g±0.01) of groups 1-4 respectively were significantly elevated (p<0.05) when compared with the control and tubers stored in the dark. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the concentrations of glycoalkaloids of groups 6-9 and the control. Nutritional evaluation revealed considerable amount of measured nutrient without significantdifference (p>0.05) in all the tubers stored in darkness, but there were significant reductions (p<0.05) in the proteins of groups 1-4 tubers when compared with the control and tubers stored under the dark condition. The increase in the glycoalkaloids content of Solanum tuberosum storedunder sunlight could be attributed to exposure to light causing greening, mechanical stress and damage to the tubers, one of which is depletion of protein concentration. Such tubers can predispose consumers to acute symptoms, such as gastrointestinal disorders. Storage in the dark ishereby suggested