No abstract

The class of drugs designated as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants includes the four social drugs that find use among some youth of Eastern Nigeria; caffeine, nicotine, cocaine and marijuana. CNS stimulants increase or enhance the activity of monoamines (such as dopamine and nor epinephrine) in the brain, which leads to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. They also have a high potential for addiction. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because these drugs change the brain structure and function. The aim of this review is to answer the following questions: What are the common types of CNS stimulants abused in Eastern Nigeria? What prompts people to start taking these drugs? Why do people become addicted to these drugs? How does CNS stimulant abuse gain foothold in Eastern Nigeria? What are the implications of this drug taking for the users and the development of youth? How does the abuse of these stimulants affect the Eastern Nigerian society? How can the use of CNS stimulants among youth of eastern Nigeria be prevented or discouraged? Is there any treatment available for the youth addicted to CNS stimulants in Eastern Nigeria?

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 to 85% of the population worldwide does not engage in enough activity; making physical inactivity the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of treadmill exercise on liver enzymes, lipid profile, glucose, albumin, blood pressure and pulse rate of apparently healthy students of Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Sixty (60) students (30 males and 30 females) within the age bracket of 21-35 years were recruited for this study. The anthropometric parameters: height (m) and weight (kg) were taken and used in the calculation of body mass index (BMI). Blood samples were collected from the subjects for the determination of liver enzymes, lipid profile, glucose and albumin levels before and immediately after exercise. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and pulse rate were also measured before and immediately after exercise. The blood samples collected were analyzed in the laboratory for albumin, glucose, lipid profile (triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)), liver enzyme (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP)) using standard methods as described in materials and methods. Results: There were significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean pulse rate and blood pressure before and after treadmill exercise. There were also significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean glucose, AST, ALT, ALP, total cholesterol and albumin before and after exercise. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed that tread mill exercise has a short term effect of the metabolic, physiological and hemodynamic functions of the exercising individuals.

One of the challenges of antipsychotic medication is the occurrence of Extrapyramidal Symptoms. These cannot be easily eliminated considering the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the established mechanism of action of classical antipsychotics. The antipsychotics help improve symptoms of schizophrenia by binding to dopamine receptors in the central nervous system and blocking dopamine. This prevents the basal ganglia from getting enough dopamine. Many drugs used in the treatment of mental disorders such as the neuroleptics and antidepressants adversely affect extrapyramidal system function, resulting in symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity collectively known as extrapyramidal symptoms. Treatment generally involves lowering the dose or trying a different antipsychotic but drugs may also be used specifically to treat symptoms. This review examines the attempt to eliminate extrapyramidal symptoms by generations of antipsychotic medications and their comparative efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia. A wide internet search was carried out using keywords and phrases that include; Antipsychotics, Typical Antipsychotics, Atypical Antipsychotics, Dopaminergic, Extrapyramidal symptoms, comparative efficacy of Antipsychotics and Adverse Effect of Antipsychotics. This will further reinforce knowledge and prescription patterns for antipsychotic medications.

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effect of animal grade piperazine citrate on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats by studying cardiac marker enzymes and histopathological changes of the cardiac muscle. Isoproterenol administration showed significant (P<0.001) increase in the serum levels of cardiac injury markers (creatine kinase-MB and troponin-I), 358.98 ± 7.68 iu/l and 13.16 ± 0.35 ng/ml compared to the normal control group of 291.58 ± 3.56 iu/l and 9.66 ± 0.20 ng/ml respectively. Pretreatment with 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight of piperazine citrate showed a decrease in the troponin-I levels when compared with the isoproterenol group; 13.16 ± 0.35 to 12.39 ± 0.22 ng/ml in the group that received 15 mg/kg piperazine citrate (p = 0.0881) and 13.16 ± 0.35 to 11.79 ± 0.30 ng/ml (p = 0.0132) in case of the group pretreated with 30 mg/kg piperazine citrate. With regards to CK-MB, the treated groups with piperazine citrate 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight showed a reduction in the values, 340.76 ± 5.10 (p = 0.0763) and 344.17 ± 8.24 iu/l (p = 0.2178) respectively, compared to the isoproterenol group value of 358.98 ± 7.68 iu/l. Histopathological investigation showed that there was no significant architectural changes in the normal control group that received only normal saline. Structural aberrations caused by isoproterenol were also significantly reduced in the piperazine citrate treated groups. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that low dose piperazine citrate has a significant effect on the protection of the heart.