Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Dacryodes Edulis and Raphia Hookeri Mann and Wendl Exudates used in Herbal Medicine in South Eastern Nigeria

The phytochemical contents and medicinal values of Dacroydes edulis and Raphia hookeri exudates were investigated. Phytochemical screening of the plant showed that they contain the presence of bioactive compounds comprising saponins (2.08–3.98mg 100g⁻¹), alkaloids (0.28–0.49 mg 100g⁻¹), tannins (0.47–0.72 mg 100g⁻¹), flavonoids (0.26–0.39 mg 100g⁻¹), and phenolic compounds (0.01–0.05 mg 100g⁻¹). The carbohydrates, lipids and protein content were 77.42–78.90%, 2.02–4.185% and 16.63–18.38% respectively. The exudates are a good source of water soluble vitamins; ascorbic acid (7.04–26.40 mg 100g⁻¹), niacin (3.12–4.00 mg 100g⁻¹), riboflavin (0.14–0.54 mg 100g⁻¹) and thiamine (0.15–0.22 mg 100g⁻¹),). Both plants exudates are good sources of minerals such as Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn while Cr and Co were trace. These results indicate that exudates can be potential sources of feedstock for the pharmaceutical industry.     

Effects of ozone on DNA single-strand breaks and 8-oxoguanine formation in A549 cells

Animal studies have demonstrated that ozone exposure can induce lung tumors. Recent epidemiological studies have also shown that increased ozone exposure is associated with a greater risk of lung cancer. This study used single-cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay) and flow cytometry to investigate DNA damage in A549 cells exposed to ozone levels below the current ambient standard. Cells were exposed to ozone at levels of 0, 60, 80, and 120 ppb, and then DNA single-strand breaks and 8-oxoguanine levels were measured. Additionally, the formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (Fpg) repair enzyme was added to the Comet assay to enhance detection of oxidative damage. Vitamins C and E were also added to determine their inhibitory effects on ozone-induced 8-oxoguanine. Measurements of tail length, tail intensity, and tail moment of the Comet assay were shown to correlate with each other. However, tail moment appeared to be more sensitive than the other two indicators in detecting DNA single-strand breaks. Tail moments of cells exposed to 80 and 120 ppb of ozone were significantly higher than those exposed to 0 ppb (P<0.05). These three indicators of DNA single-strand breaks with Fpg were shown to be increased and more sensitive than those without Fpg. After Fpg was introduced, the tail moments at ozone levels of 60, 80, and 120 ppb were significantly higher than those at 0 ppb (P<0.05). Furthermore, 8-oxoguanine levels, determined by fluorescence intensity, at 80 and 120 ppb of ozone exposure were significantly higher than the level at 0 ppb. Pretreatment with vitamins C and E reduced the 8-oxoguanine levels caused by ozone. We conclude that ozone levels below current ambient standards may induce DNA breaks and oxidative DNA damage. Moreover, the Fpg repair enzyme in the Comet assay can increase the sensitivity of oxidative damage detection in vitro.     

孕妇维生素营养状况与胎儿生长发育的典型相关研究

目的 对孕妇维生素营养状况与胎儿生长发育的关系进行典型相关分析。方法 以湖南省长沙市224名孕妇为调查对象,测定了不同孕龄孕妇的血清维生素水平及胎儿生长发育评价指标,并对孕妇的膳食营养素摄入、生活因素进行了调查。结果 孕妇血清维生素E水平随妊娠进展明显上升,叶酸水平则下降,在孕晚期尤为明显;典型相关分析的结果显示:孕妇的4项血清维生素水平与孕妇产前宫高、腹围、胎儿股骨长、新生儿出生体重、新生儿Apgar评分5项指标呈正相关(P<0.05),提示孕妇维生素营养状况影响胎儿骨骼、肌肉、神经等的发育;对孕妇生活因素、膳食摄入进行综合分析的结果显示它们对胎儿生长发育的影响依次为孕妇的膳食援入(决定系数R~2=49.10％)、孕妇4种血清维生素水平(R~2=29.94％)、生活因素(R~2=14.32%)。结论 孕妇维生素营养状况与胎儿生长发育密切相关。     

A comparison of the nutrient content of uncooked and cooked lean from New Zealand beef and lamb

The composition in terms of proximate analysis, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids of the lean tissue of 17 beef cuts and 18 lamb cuts was determined on within-cut composite samples (each containing lean tissue from at least 7 animals), following the knife-separation of raw and cooked cuts into lean, fat, and bone. Composite lean samples for 4 beef cuts and 4 lamb cuts were also analysed for amino-acid composition. For analysis, different cuts were the experimental unit as individual animal data were not available. The composition of lean from beef and lamb was shown to be highly desirable with a high nutrient density (mg/kJ) for many nutrients. Although lean from beef and lamb were very similar in many respects, several significant differences were detected. Changes in composition with cooking were largely eliminated when considered on a dry-matter basis, but proportions of the n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased with cooking (P < 0.05). The amino acid composition was similar for lean from beef and lamb but showed small deviations from recommended patterns for human nutrition with branched chain amino acids being limiting.     

Vitamin supplements among women with adenomatous polyps and cancer of the colon

Chemoprevention of various epithelial cancers with vitamins or minerals has been the subject of multiple intervention trials to assess the impact of supplementation. These include several trials in patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon, a precursor lesion for colon cancer. The authors interviewed 255 women who underwent colonoscopy at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center between 1983 and 1985 with a telephone-administered structured questionnaire. Eleven interviews were excluded for various reasons. Overall, 57.7 percent of the 244 interviewees used vitamin pills on a regular basis (at least once a week for a year); 6.6 percent of the interviewees used vitamin A, 20.7 percent used vitamin C, and 16.2 percent used vitamin E. There were no statistically significant differences in vitamin usage among women with adenomatous polyps of the colon (105 cases), women with colon cancer (56 cases), and women without colonic neoplasia (83 cases). Despite widespread use of supplementary vitamins, this study failed to demonstrate major benefits in preventing colon polyps or cancer. Read in part at the Tenth Meeting of the American Society for Preventive Oncology, Bethesda, Maryland, March 7, 1986. Supported by NCI Grant No.CA37196, an American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Fellowship (AIN), a grant from the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and an internship from the Health Research Training Program of the NYC Department of Health (CMJ).     

Supplementation of dietary vitamins,protein and probiotics on semen traits and immunohistochemical study of pituitary hormones in zinc-induced molted broiler breeders

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E and vitamin C, probiotics mixture and protein level and their combination on semen quality and immunohistochemical study of some pituitary hormones in male broiler breeders. One hundred and eighty male broiler breeders 65 weeks old were divided into six groups by completely randomized design. The birds were subjected to zinc-induced molt by mixing zinc oxide at the rate of 3000 mg/kg in the feed. After molting, one group was fed control diet (CP16%). The other groups were fed vitamin E (100 IU/kg), vitamin C (500 IU/kg), probiotics (50 mg/L of drinking water), protein (CP14%) and combination of these components. These treatments were given for five weeks. After the feeding period, semen samples were taken and analyzed for semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and dead sperm percentage. Pituitary samples were collected from three birds per replicate and were processed for immunohistochemical study. The results of semen quality parameters revealed that semen volume and sperm motility were significantly high in the vitamin E fed group, while the dead sperm percentage decreased significantly in the vitamin C group. The morphometric analysis revealed that compared to other groups, vitamin E caused a significant increase in the size and area of FSH, LH gonadotropes and lactotropes. These results showed that vitamin E alone may play some role in the enhancement of semen quality and growth of gonadotropes and lactotropes.