The use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and tramadol in the absence of erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions in Nigeria has become a norm. In this study, we comparatively assess the effects of chronic use of these drugs on hepatotoxicity. Fifty male albino wistar rats weighing 180-200g were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=10) as follows; control, sildenafil (1mg/100g b.w), tadalafil (1mg/100g b.w), tramadol (2mg/100g b.w) and sildenafil+tramadol treated group (1mg/100g and 2mg/100g b.w, respectively). Drugs were orally administered, once, every two days for 8weeks, at the end of which five animals were sacrificed per group (batch 1), while the remaining five animals per group were allowed for another 8weeks without drug administration (batch 2). Serum concentration of liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and bilirubin were assessed in both batches. Serum concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly (p<0.001) increased in all treated groups (batch 1), while conjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) reduced in all treated groups, compared with control. Serum concentrations of AST and ALT were significantly reduced in sildenafil (p<0.01), tadalafil (p<0.05), tramadol (p<0.001) and sildenafil+tramadol (p<0.001) recovery groups, compared with their treated groups. Total and unconjugated bilirubin fractions were significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) reduced in tadalafil recovery group, compared with the treated group. Sildenafil+tramadol recovery group showed significantly (p<0.001) reduced total and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations, compared with the treated group. Chronic administration of PDE5i and tramadol reversibly altered liver functions.

is an International, peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original article in experimental & clinical medicine and related disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biophysics, bio-and medical technology. JMS is issued eight times per year on paper and in electronic format.

Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all probable kinds of food, drinks or both for a period of time. Knowledge of the effect of fasting on intestinal motility and transit is incomprehensible, this study, therefore, seeks to ascertain the effect of fasting on intestinal motility and intestinal transit. Twelve albino wistar rats of body weight ranging between 160-200 g were used. These rats were randomly assigned into 2 groups, control and test (fasted) with six rats each. Both groups were fed with normal rodent chow and water for 30 days but the test groups were deprived of food for 12 h during the time frame (6 am-6 pm) of the experiment. The results obtained showed that fasting caused a significant decrease in intestinal motility compared to the control group on administration of atropine, a significant decrease in motility on administration of acetylcholine at the range of 9.56±0.74 and 32.03±0.78 µg mLG 1 , respectively for both control and the test groups. It was also determined that fasting did not cause any significant change in intestinal motility on administration of propranolol 387.50±24 and 387.50±141.97 µg mLG 1 , respectively and -737.50±87.50 and -420.83±24.88 µg mLG 1 , respectively, on administration of adrenaline. It was determined that fasting did not cause any significant change in intestinal transit (51.70±7.65 cm) and (40.74±7.14 cm), respectively in both groups. Conclusively, fasting reduces intestinal motility but has no significant effect on intestinal transit. Therefore, its use to enhance better well being and increased life's expectancy is encouraged as may be beneficial to patients with spastic colitis and some other intestinal motility disorders. However, it must be done under proper supervision to avoid other gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers.