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The therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and zinc sulphate on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-induced testicular oxido-nitrergic stress in rats was investigated in 36 male Wistar rats (170 ± 10 g) randomly assigned into one of six groups (n = 6).Group 1 (control) received 2.5 ml/kg of distilled water for 42 days, while group 2 (vehicle) received 2.5 ml/kg of corn oil for 42 days. Groups 3,4,5, and 6 were administered DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, after which groups 4, 5, and 6 received zinc sulphate (0.5 mg/kg/day), NAC (100 mg/kg/day), and zinc sulphate (0.5 mg/kg/day) +-NAC (100 mg/kg/day) for an additional 21 days respectively. After the experimental period, the animals were euthanized by light thiopental sodium, and their testes were carefully dissected out for histological and biochemical assays. The result shows a significant alteration in testicular levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, sulphydryl levels, dehydrogenases and testicular architecture following the administration of DEHP. These effects were reversed by coadministration of NAC and zinc sulphate in the study. We therefore concluded that the combined effects of NAC and ZnSO 4 effectively improved testicular antioxidant status and reduced testicular nitregic stress, thus improving testicular architecture and functions.

Medicinal plants are frequently used in healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world because of their bioactive compounds, thus accounting for about 80% of African medicine. The kidneys are involved in one of the body’s most important homeostasis. This study evaluated the effects of Citrullus lanatus fruit juice on serum electrolytes and histology of the kidney in Wistar rats. Seventy (70) male Wistar rats were used for the study and categorized into four groups (n=9). Group 1 (control group) were fed with growers mash and water only. Animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 2.5 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg of the extract along with growers mash respectively. Findings showed a dose dependent increase in bodyweight (expressed in percentage) in all groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in serum Na+, Cl-, creatinine, HCO3 and urea in animals given watermelon seed extract (81.69±13.08; 85.22±8.25; 4.80±0.04; 27.78±5.48; 7.05±0.25) when compared with control group (102.62±7.40; 86.78±7.61; 26.90±2.46; 7.52±0.59; 28.26±5.24). However, there was significant increase in serum K+ level in animals given watermelon seed extract of 2.5 ml/kg group (3.77±0.12) when compared with control group (3.49±0.08). In addition, significant increase was observed in urea level in 2.5 ml/kg experimental animals (49.27±7.38) when compared with control (28.26±5.24). In conclusion, administration of Citrullus lanatus seed extract did not affect serum electrolytes level, except serum potassium, however, it caused an increase in the bodyweight of Wistar rats but show no significant alteration in histological architecture of the kidney when compared to control. Keywords: Serum electrolyte; Renal histology; Citrullus lanatus

Petrol pump attendants are group of workers that are daily exposed to petrol fumes across petrol filling stations in major cities within Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of petrol fumes on changes in some cardiovascular parameters among petrol pump attendants in Ughelli, Delta State Nigeria by measuring arterial blood pressure and calculating pulse and mean arterial pressure of 150 petrol attendants with age, sex matched control within Ughelli metropolis and its environs. Data obtained show that the arterial blood pressure, pulse and mean arterial pressure ranged from 108/60-140/92, 48-80 and 76-126 mmHg respectively. The result also revealed that mean arterial pressure significantly (p<0.05) increase in the petrol pump attendant. More so, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased in a duration of exposure dependent manner with significance (p<0.05) in petrol pump attendants working for more than five years. The mean arterial pressure was significantly (p<0.05) increased in subjects working as petrol pump attendants for less than five years and five years or more. Data also showed that the pulse pressure was not adversely affected in the petrol pump attendants. In conclusion, this study has established that there are changes in cardiovascular parameters of petrol pump attendants as shown with an increase in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure.