Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is the condition where flow of urine from the renal pelvis to the ureter is hindered due to various intrinsic or extrinsic causes. Lower pole renal vessels are mostly associated with this condition. Unlike our case, there have been reports of ureter being kinked around the Veins of Retzius but there has been no case report of ureter being kinked around the superior mesenteric vein directly causing features of PUJO.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on the lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Hyperlipidemic rats.

Study Design, Place and Duration of Study: This case-control study was done for 60 days between March and April, 2017 at the department of Medical Laboratory Science and Department of Chemical Pathology, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Thirty male wistar rats weighing 117-130 g were divided randomly into 3 groups: Normolipidemic (NL) rats (fed with standard rodent chow), Hyperlipidemic (HL) rats (fed with standard rodent chow + duck yolk and reused oil), Hyperlipidemic Treated (HL+T) rats (fed with standard rodent chow + duck yolk and reused oil + 5% Pleurotus ostreatus powder). 

Changes in the animal body weights were measured in this study. Serum was obtained from fasting blood samples for the standard biochemical analyses of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), creatinine, urea, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and Log (TG/HDL) ratios were calculated.

Results: The HL+T rats compared to HL rats had significantly reduced body weight, TC, TG, LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and Log(TG/HDL) by 19.59%, 14.38%, 15.82%, 25.52%, 15.83%, 28.89%, 20.24% and 27.27% respectively (p ≤ 0.05) but recorded no significant change in HDL-C (p > 0.05). Creatinine, urea, AST and ALT did not show any significant change in HL rats and HL+T rats (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Treatment of hyperlipidemic male wistar rats with Pleurotus ostreatus reduced body weight, lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL, VLDL) and atherogenic indices (TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, Log (TG/HDL)) and appeared to have no detrimental effects on the liver and kidneys. These findings may provide insights and scientific basis for the promotion of the use of Pleurotus ostreatus in controlling hyperlipidemia and associated complications.

Background and Objective: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is identified as an Accent that is used in the food industry as a flavour enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savoury flavour of food. The present study aimed at evaluating the protective and ameliorative role of rocket seeds extract against monosodium glutamate-induced hepatic renal toxicity and oxidative stress in the male rat.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 male adult albino rats were equally divided into six groups (G1, Control; G2, rocket seeds (RS); G3, ACCENT or MSG; G4, Co- treated (RS+MSG); G5, Post- treated (MSG+RS); G6, Self-treated MSG). 

Results: Current results revealed that; a significant increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP, AFP, Urea, Creatinine, potassium ions, chloride ions, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels in MSG as compared to control and RS groups. In contrast; a significant decrease in serum albumin, total proteins, catalase, GSH and SOD in liver and kidney homogenates in MSG as compared to control and RS groups. Co- or post-treatment of MSG with rocket seeds improved this change in liver and kidney functions, with best results for co-treatment than post and self-treatment.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that the misuse of monosodium glutamate may contribute to continuous hepatic and renal damage. This shows that the desired dose of monosodium glutamate can safely be used with grapes seed in improving hepatic and renal damage in monosodium glutamate in young rats.

Background: Self-medication or self-care is regarded as an unhealthy practice. However, it is widely accepted and practiced in the low and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to scarcity of health resources.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and practice of self-medication among university students in Pakistan through online resources.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2017 and August 2017 by involving 991 university students. A questionnaire was administered to obtain data.

Results: The majority 85.9% (852/991) of the respondents knew aboutonline medicines and their uses of self-medication. Overall, 68% (674/991) of them have to travel long-distances to access essential health services. Nearly half (41.7%) of the respondents procured drugs through the online sources, while only 15.6% of them obtained through pharmacies.

Conclusions: The rampant irrational use of drugs without medical guidance could contribute to adverse consequences viz.; the emergence of multi-drug resistance, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions etc. Strict regulations must be enforced to limit public access to online-drugs by the law-enforcement agencies.

Introduction: Obesity, high body fat percentage and hypertension could increase the mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases. These risk factors develop during childhood and adolescent period. The present study aimed at determining the association between body fat composition and BP level among the Chinese community in Melaka, Malaysia.

Methodology: This is a cross-section study with the secondary data analysis of the health records of the patients who had attended the medical camps conducted in Melaka, Malaysia. The body fat and visceral fat were measured by using (Handheld Body Fat Scale Analyzer). The blood pressure measurement was done according to the Clinical Practice Guidelines, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. The participants who had systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mmHg and/ or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg were defined as hypertension.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension among male participants was 42.5%, meanwhile, among female was 23.6%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among males (37%) compared to females (20.8%). Gender, body fat (%) and was found to be associated with systolic blood pressure. Visceral fat (%) was the only associated factor of diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusion: This study found that body and visceral fat compositions are significantly correlated with systolic BP and visceral fat composition is significantly correlated with diastolic BP. High body and visceral fat composition should be used as a measure of increased risk for hypertension among old age peoples.