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Jatropha tanjorensis is a herbaceous plant used locally for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, and stomach ache in Nigeria. Longtime effect of Jatropha tanjorensis on electrolyte concentrations in the body is yet to be determined. This study was conducted to determine electrolyte concentrations in healthy individuals after consumption of aqueous extract of Jatropha tanjorensis. Seven (7) healthy individuals aged between 23-26 years, weighing 44-75 kg were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected before the commencement of the study as control samples while test samples were collected on the 7th and 14th day of consumption of 7.8 g/175 ml of Jatropha tanjorensis daily for 14 days. The electrolyte was estimated using an ion selective electrode. The result showed that sodium (p<0.05), potassium (p<0.05), chloride (p<0.05), bicarbonate (p<0.05) and Anion gap (p<0.05) were significantly lower after 7 days of consumption of aqueous extract of Jatropha tanjorensis when compared to results before consumption of the extract. However, after 14 days of consumption of Jatropha tanjorensis aqueous extract, sodium and bicarbonate were lower (p<0.05) when compared to the values before consumption. The results suggest that Jatropha tanjorensis aqueous extract predispose consumers to electrolyte imbalance and metabolic acidosis.

Aim: To determine the effect of car spray paint on electrolyte concentrations (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride), Anion gap, Total Protein, Albumin, liver enzymes (Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase) of car spray painters. Place of Study:  The study was conducted within Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty (20) male car spray painters age range between 25 and 61 years with 7- 28 years work experience in car spray painting (test subjects) and twenty (20) apparently healthy male individuals aged between 25 and 61 years who work within an office setting far away from car spray painting garage (non-exposed individuals) were used as control for the study. Plasma electrolyte concentrations were estimated using Ion selective electrode method while Liver Enzymes Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase were estimated using spectrophotometric method. Results obtained from the experiment were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation. P < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Sodium, Potassium, Bicarbonate and Chloride concentrations in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters did not showed any significant difference (P> .05). However, Anion gap was significantly increased (P<.05) in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters. Alanine amino transferase activity were significantly higher in plasma of Car spray painters (P < .05) when compared to non-car spray painters while Aspartate amino transferase activity, Total protein and Albumin concentrations remained relatively unchanged when compared between the studied groups. However, Aspartate amino transferase and Alanine amino transferase activities were affected by years of exposure to car paints. Conclusions: This study suggest that car spray paint affects Anion gap and Alanine amino transferase activity in car spray painters hence safety apparatus should be worn while working. However further test on other liver enzymes should be done to validate the effect of spray paint on the liver.

Bryophyllum pinnatum has been consumed locally for various ailments without proper documentation of It’s effect on Lipid concentrations and cardiovascular risk indices in humans. This study sought to determine the effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract consumption on lipid concentrations and cardiovascular risk indices in apparently healthy individuals by estimating Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), Castelli Risk Index I and II, Total protein and Albumin in 15 apparently healthy individuals after consumption of 1.32g/180ml of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract for 14 days. Samples taken before the commencement of the study served as control samples, while samples collected on the 1st, 7th and 14thday after consumption of 1.32g/180ml of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract served as test samples. Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein were estimated using Colorimetric methods. Total protein was estimated using Biuret method while Albumin was estimated using Bromocresol green method. The results showed that levels of LDL(1.04±0.44mmol/l), AIP(-0.34±0.09), Castelli index I (2.16±0.53) and Castelli index II(0.94±0.47) were significantly reduced (p<0.05) after 7 days of consumption when compared to control LDL(2.65±0.18mmol/l),AIP(-0.15±0.18), Castelli index I (3.84±0.32) and Castelli index II(2.44±0.33).Further comparism of levels of LDL(2.22±0.74mmol/l),AIP((-0.15±0.18), Castellic index I ((3.74±1.80) and Castellic index II (2.42±0.98) after 14 days of consumption with levels after 7 days LDL(1.04±0.44mmol/l), AIP(-0.34±0.09), Castelli index I (2.16±0.53) and Castelli index II(0.94±0.47) showed significant increase (p< 0.05). Results obtained suggest that short term consumption of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract would reduce cardiovascular risk indices in humans but continuous long term use can predispose consumers to increased risk of developing cardiovascular pathological consequences.