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Cardiovascular disease has become a disease of global concern. The present study investigated the effect of an Irvingia gabonensis -supplemented diet on cardiovascular disease risk. 24 male albino rats divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each were used. Diets containing varying amounts of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were prepared and fed to the rats for 4 weeks. Lipid profiles of the plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density liporotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were determined. Generally, Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in diets resulted in reduced organ/body weight ratios. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels and artherogenic indices were significantly reduced. The results of this study indicate that Irvingia gabonensis consumption has athero-protective potential as evidenced in the reduction in atherogenic indices in the rats. Results also suggest that the mechanism involved may be through reduction in cholesterol synthesis and transport to the peripheral tissues as observed in the decrease in LDL-cholesterol.

Lead and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are common environmental toxicants of concern around the world. Although effects of individual exposures to both agents are well documented, there is a dearth of information on the effects of co-exposure to both agents. In this study, combined exposure to lead and DEHP was investigated for effects on ATPase activities in the liver, brain and kidney tissues of rats. Male albino rats were daily exposed to either 200 ppm lead as lead acetate in their drinking water and/or 100 mg DEHP kg -1 body weight in olive oil by gastric intubation for 30 days. Changes in total body weight, relative organ weights as well as brain, hepatic and renal activities of total, Na + K + -, Ca 2+and Mg 2+ -ATPases were used as biomarkers of toxicity. Hepatomegaly and brain atrophy heralded exposure to both agents. Individual exposure to lead and DEHP resulted in reduction in hepatic Ca 2+and Mg 2+ -ATPase activities but no significant effect on total ATPase activity, however combined exposure produced significant activation of Ca 2+ -, Na + K + -and total ATPase while restoring Mg 2+ -ATPase towards control. A potentiating effect on lead by DEHP was observed in hepatic Na + K + -ATPase. Lead stimulated the activities of renal Ca 2+ -and total ATPases while DEHP on the contrary caused significant reduction in total ATPase activity and no significant effects on Ca 2+ -ATPase activity. Co-treatment produced antagonistic effects leading to normal renal Ca 2+ -and total ATPase activities. Brain Na + K + -, Ca 2+ -and total ATPase activities were depressed in co-exposure while Mg 2+ -ATPase was up-regulated. Lead potentiated DEHP-induced inhibition of brain total -ATPase while co-treatment produced antagonistic effects on brain Ca 2+ -ATPase. The findings of this study highlight organ specific variations in response to combined lead and DEHP exposure in rats.

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