Department of Physiology

Effects of prescribed low-intensity resistance exercise on prehypertension and other related factors in individuals living within Homa bay township, western Kenya

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Effects of prescribed low-intensity resistance exercise on prehypertension and other related factors in individuals living within Homa bay township, western Kenya ELIAKIM, Konje moses Prehypertension is the precursor to hypertension stage I which can gradually lead to hypertension stage II in case there is no intervention It is anticipated. that prehypertension will affect up to one-third of the adult population worldwide by 2025. In Homa Bay County, the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital has reported an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with prehypertension over the past 5 years, mostly emerging from individuals living within Homa Bay Township. This study examined the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise on prehypertension and other related factors in individuals living within Homa Bay Township. Its specific objectives were; to find out the awareness of lifestyle risk factors of prehypertension in individuals with prehypertension, to determine the effects of prescribed low-intensity exercise on anthropometric measures, and to quantify the effects of prescribed low-intensity resistance exercise on fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels. This was a hospital-based study in which a randomized controlled trial study design was employed. Thirty-four (17 experimental and 17 controls) adults were purposively recruited into the study and followed for three months. Participants performed four, 2 minutes weight lifting contractions of the upper extremities at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) with ½ minute rest between contractions for 30 minutes. For the lower extremities exercise; participants performed four, 2 minutes contractions at 40% MVC with 1 minute’s rest between contractions for 30 minutes. Biochemical and anthropometric data were collected on pre-training, mid-training, and post-training. In pre, mid and post-training sessions, blood samples (5ml) were obtained by venipuncture for the assessment of LDL, HDL, Cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting blood sugar levels. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurement were also taken. ANOVA with a within-subjects factor of time of the study (pre, mid, and post-study) and a between-subject factor of treatment type (experimental and control groups) was used to determine the differences between the two groups. The majority of the respondents statistically did not know the lifestyle risk factors of prehypertension at the start of the study for instance smoking tobacco (χ2=5.93, df=2, p-value=0.049) and less consumption of fruits (χ2=6.59, df=2, p-value=0.04). Except for BMI [F (1, 32) =8.06, p-value=0.008], the study statistically found that the prescribed low-intensity resistance exercise did not affect the weight, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio of prehypertensive individuals. Low-intensity resistance exercises significantly, F (1, 32) =5.01, p-value=0.03, lowered the prehypertensive pressure in the experimental group to normal pressure at post-study (from 127.59+5.01 to 115.88+6.06 mmHg systolic pressure) as compared to the control group (from 128.94+4.64 to 122.47+2.87 mmHg systolic pressure). Although Total Cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) decreased in both experimental and control groups, the decline was more marked in the experimental group, suggesting that prescribed low-intensity exercise could decrease the variables. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that low-intensity resistance exercises prescription in prehypertension can prevent progression to hypertension. Master's Thesis

Effects of Allium sativum extract on atazanavir induced Nephrotoxicity in male winstar rats

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Effects of Allium sativum extract on atazanavir induced Nephrotoxicity in male winstar rats KIPYEGON, Langat Robert Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1998 in the treatment of HIV led to dramatic decrease in morbidity and mortality among HIV infected patients translating it into a chronic manageable condition. Atazanavir was a recommended first line therapy for HIV treatment. However, it is nephrotoxic with prolonged use and may lead to irreversible renal damage. Allium sativum, a common food supplement is known for its antioxidant properties but its nephroprotective properties in Atazanavir nephrotoxicity has not been studied. The present study investigated the effects of A. sativum extract on serum creatinine, Urea, Uric Acid and Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium & Chloride) on male laboratory wistar rats. The study also determined effects of the A. sativum extract on kidneys histology. This was an experimental study conducted at the University of Eldoret, Department of Biological Sciences, Zoology laboratory. Thirty-nine (39) male wistar rats of approximately the same age and weighing between 150g- 250g were sourced from Chiromo campus of the University of Nairobi and transported to the University of Eldoret – zoology laboratory where they were allowed two weeks to acclimatize. During the acclimatization period all the experimental animals were accustomed to handling by the animal attendant. Thereafter, the animals were randomly divided into 3 groups (Control, Treatment and Intervention groups) of 13 animals each. Treatment group received Atazanavir 10mg/kg, Intervention group received Atazanavir (10mg/kg.bwt) and A. sativum extract (250mg/kg.bwt) while control group received normal saline (1.5ml). Administration of drugs was by gavage. Blood sampling was done twice (14 days apart) during pre-treatment and later 2 weekly for 6 weeks during treatment phase. The blood samples we used to determine electrolytes (Na+, K+& Cl-), nitrogenous metabolites (Creatinine and Urea) and Uric Acid levels using automated clinical Chemistry analyzer (Reflectron Automated Analyzer, Beckman, U.S.A). At the end of the study, 4 representative animals from each group were sacrificed and kidney tissue were harvested for histological examination. Quantitative data were expressed as Mean ± standard Error of Mean (SEM) and the difference of means among treatment groups was measured by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference test. Values were statistically significant when P < 0.05. The study showed that Atazanavir administration caused increased in Creatine, Urea, Electrolytes (Na+, K+& Cl-) and Uric acid while co-administered with A. sativum extract, the levels significantly (p<0.05) decreased to near normal as compared to control animals. Kidney tissue from experimental animals showed features of renal cell nephritis characterized by clear and enlarged podocytes, irregular infiltrating cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, marked pleomorphism and expanded mesangial matrix. The Atazanavir effects on the kidney histology were reversed when the treatment was co-administered with A. sativum extract. A. sativum extract exhibited nephroprotective activity. The findings of the present study showed that A. sativum extract ameliorates effects of Atazanavir leading to reduction in Creatinine, Urea, Electrolytes (Na+, K+& Cl-) and Uric Acid. Therefore, A. sativum extract can be further tested and recommended for use as a supplement in Atazanavir treatment. Master's Thesis

Investigation of haemostatic effects and the mechanism of Action of croton megalocarpus leaf extract on male new Zealand white rabbits

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Investigation of haemostatic effects and the mechanism of Action of croton megalocarpus leaf extract on male new Zealand white rabbits IRUNGU, David Mwangi Trauma death being a serious issue that take people’s lives has many causes whose main cause is hemorrhage (bleeding). The body's natural ability to halt bleeding inside the vascular compartment is called hemostasis, which is brought on by hemostatic drugs. Three processes—vascular constriction, platelet plug creation, and blood coagulation—achieve this. In Kenya and many other nations, freshly cut Croton megalocarpus leaves are frequently used as a hemostatic agent to stop bleeding. On the other hand, not much is known about the hemostatic properties of this plant extract. This study was conducted at three different universities. In the biochemistry lab of Maseno University, the extract was prepared and transported to Nairobi using a cooler box at 2 to 8 degree celcius. At the University of Nairobi's medical physiology laboratory, tests on bleeding and clotting were conducted. At Kenyatta National Hospital's hematology department, tests for prothrombin and active partial thromboplastin duration were performed. The primary goal is to ascertain the impact and mode of action of dried leaf extract from Croton megalocarpus on rabbits from New Zealand's hemostasis activity. A freeze-dried plant extract was made, and the dose for the research was calculated. Randomly assigned to five groups (control and test), forty New Zealand white rabbits were used. For measuring bleeding time, Duke's technique was employed, and for measuring clotting time, the capillary method. Prothrombin time was measured using the ACL Elitepro equipment, which also activated partial thromboplastin time. Biological data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Using one way analysis of variance, analysis of hematological data, including blood loss duration, clotting time, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin activation time, was compared between the control group and treatment groups for categorical variables. Turkeys Tests for Pairwise Comparison between means was used to compare. The relationship between leaf extract concentrations and hematological parameters... P< 0.05 was used to determine if differences were significant. The extraction yield was 45%, or 450g, of the total weight. The mean bleeding time for animals receiving normal saline (control) (A) was 125.9 -/+ 3.5 seconds, compared to aspirin, 28 mg/kg body weight (B), 227.1 ±7.6 seconds, 200 mg/kg body weight leaf extract (C), 103.3± 2.9 seconds, 300 mg/kg body weight leaf extract (D), and 81.9 ±2.6 seconds (E), respectively. In the clotting time assay, Tukey's test for pairwise comparison of means revealed that the difference between the means for the control and croton megalocarpus leaf extract tests C (200 mg/g), D (300 mg/kg), and E (400 mg/kg) was significant at 0.05 (DF, within groups = 92, Mean Square = 8.6046, N = 24, n = 4, T = 2.215). Prothrombin time reduction was not significant as observed in means of control, (13.0±1.23 verses. 200mg/ml leaf extract, 13.0±1.32 seconds (C), (DF =1, p = 0.9105), control (13.0±1.2 (c) verses. 300 mg/ml 12.6±1.41 seconds (D), (DF =1, p = 0.237), and control (13.0±1.2 (c) verses 400mg/ml, 13.2±1.5 seconds (E), (DF =1, p = 0.750). Turkeys Tests for Pairwise Comparison between means between normal saline and 200mg/kg (C), 300mg/kg (D) and 400mg/kg (E) body weight leaf extract, showed that the effect of CM leaf extract on activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was significant at 5% (DF =92, N=24, MSE = 4.6675, T=1.6317). The results obtained in the current study have revealed a significant coagulant activity of aqueous extract of Croton megalocarpus plant species in accordance with a reduction in bleeding period of time, clotting duration and the amount of active partial thromboplastin duration as compared to that of the control (normal saline) with no cytotoxicity impact. The use of aqueous extracts of Croton megalocarpus in enhancement of blood hemostasis is recommended subject for further studies on safety and clinical trials on human subjects. Master's Thesis

Effects of aqueous garlic extract treatment on plasma Glucose, cortisol and electrolytes concentration in male Rattus norvegicus on daily atazanavir therapy

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Effects of aqueous garlic extract treatment on plasma Glucose, cortisol and electrolytes concentration in male Rattus norvegicus on daily atazanavir therapy YARALIMA, Jackson, Mnangat Patients with HIV/AIDS now have longer life expectancies, thanks to the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). On the other hand, a high frequency of endocrine and metabolic diseases has been linked to the medications. Cortisol secretion dysregulation has been documented in studies focusing specifically on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Reports of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and electrolyte abnormalities raise the possibility that the HAART medications may affect the pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands. Garlic, a popular food additive, has been shown to have hypoglycemic properties and affects how the adrenal gland reacts to stress. This study sought to evaluate the effects of aqueous garlic extract treatment on plasma glucose, cortisol and electrolyte (sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride) concentrations in male rats on daily atazanavir therapy (one of the HAART drugs). The study also sought to determine the effects of aqueous garlic extract treatment on the adrenal gland histology in atazanavir-treated and non-treated male laboratory rats. This was a laboratory-based experimental study in which thirty-nine (39) male rats aged 15–18 months weighing 350–400 grams were used. The study was conducted at the University of Eldoret Animal House in the Department of Zoology. The animals, fed on rat pellets and water ad libitum, were randomly divided into three groups, A, B, and C, of thirteen animals each. About 1ml of tail blood was obtained from all the rats in the three groups fortnightly, twice before the treatment, to determine baseline data of all the study parameters. After two weeks, the group A rats served as the control animals and received 1.5 ml of normal saline daily throughout the study. Group B rats received daily atazanavir treatment at 10mg/Kg, and group C rats received a daily atazanavir (10mg/Kg) plus aqueous garlic extract treatment (250mg/kg body weight) from the third week to the end of the study. All treatments were administered through the oral gavage route. Blood sampling (1ml) was continued fortnightly in all the groups for five sessions before the termination of the study. Each bleeding session began with the measurement of blood glucose levels immediately using a glucometer. The remaining blood samples were processed for plasma and stored at -20°C until needed for the measurements of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride ions using an automated hemoanalyzer, and cortisol using an ELISA assay kit. At the end of the study, some of the animals were sacrificed, and the adrenal gland tissues of both control and experimental rats were carefully harvested, sectioned, and processed for histological examination. All values were expressed as mean levels ± SEM. One way ANOVA test at P<0.05 significance level was used to compare the means of all the parameters between the three experimental groups. Atazanavir therapy caused increased mean glucose concentration in the blood, which declined with garlic treatment. Atazanavir therapy caused increased mean cortisol concentration in blood, while garlic reduced the mean blood cortisol level. Atazanavir therapy caused hypokalemia, while garlic improved potassium concentration in the blood and restored it to its normal range. Atazanavir therapy and garlic treatment in this study showed slight comparison effect on the mean plasma chloride level. Atazanavir therapy caused hypocalcaemia, while garlic treatment increased the calcium ion concentration and reversed the hypocalcaemia to its normal range. Atazanavir caused hyponatremia. Garlic treatment caused increased mean plasma sodium ion concentration and normalized the sodium level in blood. Atazanavir therapy caused metabolic changes in the zona fasciculata cells with foamy cytoplasm of the adrenal gland. Garlic did not reverse the metabolic changes. Master's Thesis