Objective The objective of this study was to observe the effects of chronic dosing with monosodium glutamate on mortality, fertility, major organ functions and histology in albino Wistar rats. Results 6 male and 6 female rats (age 6 weeks) were bred in a cage, feeding on standard growers’ mash, with monosodium glutamate added (120 mg/kg/day). 12 corresponding breeding rats (on standard feed without MSG) were controls. Chronic dosing with monosodium glutamate in albino Wistar rats (at a dose consistent with the human ADI) led to increased mortality, fertility impairment, and significant changes in major organ function tests and histology. 23 deaths were recorded in the rats fed with MSG additive, while mortality was zero in the control animals. Fertility was lower in rats on MSG (48 births) than in controls (117 births). The weight gain of the MSG rats was higher than in controls. Biochemical parameters and organ histology remained normal in control animals. In MSG-treated rats however, liver/renal function tests, fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride, serum uric acid showed a significant rise at trimestrial time-points. Histology showed mild portal inflammation in MSG rats, with periglomerular fibrosis and interstitial nephritis in two rats, at 6–12 months.

ABSTRACT

Essential hypertension is the most common noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting more than half the adult population in many countries and being the major NCD contributor to the double burden of disease in developing countries. We undertook a survey of the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in primary and secondary referral health care clinics in Enugu, Nigeria, and compared these data with those obtained in local community surveys. The prevalence of hypertension in the primary care clinic (9.2%) was lower than in a previously reported community survey (42.2%), while, in the referral clinic, 70.3% of patients attending were hypertensive. Hypertension awareness rates were 91.9%, 29.4%, and 93.2% in these respective health care settings. Treatment and control rates (89.9% and 72.9%) were better in the secondary care clinic than in the primary care centre (87.7% and 46.0%). (Chi-square analysis confirmed statistically significant differences between these rates (p < 0.05).) These data may form a useful index of health care system effectiveness in Nigeria. Possible reasons for the differences observed and effective strategies to address the waxing pandemic of hypertension are discussed.

Ascaris lumbricoides is the causative organism that causes ascariasis. Ascariasis is an intestinal infection that is becoming common in this part of the World due to poor sanitation. It is causing a lot of harm to our people who treat other things which may not be the real cause of their disease. The study was done to determine the alterations in haematological parameters. The study was done in a secondary health institution in Umudike. A total of sixty five (65) subjects were recruited for the study, thirty (30) subjects were ascariasis patients (Test) and thirty five (35) subjects were apparently healthy individuals (control). Venous EDTA anticoagulated blood was used for the haematological assays. The results were analysed with student t-test and significance level set at P<0.05. The results showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in haemoglobin, PCV, RBC, WBC and neutrophil of the ascariasis subjects compared to the control and significant increase (P<0.05) in lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil. This shows that ascariasis infection leads to anaemia and leukopaenia. The immunity of the patients is challenged. Cytokines are secreted leading to inflammatory reaction and hypersentivity reactions. Proper treatment should be given to the affected patients immediately and should eat blood building foods such as vegetables.