Gestational Geophagia Affects Nephrocardiac Integrity, ATP-Driven Proton Pumps, the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System, and F2-Isoprostane Status

Abstract

Pregnancy brings about strong cravings for nonfood materials, the gestational toxicities of which are not yet ascertained. In this study, we used rat models to investigate the effect of clay beverage consumption during early and late gestation on p-Type ATPases, nephrocardiac integrity, the antioxidant system, and on the activities of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). The rats at early (7th day) and late gestation (20th) were administered single doses (500 mg/kg body weight) of clay beverage and examined using ELISA and spectrophotometry. The gestational clay beverage intake significantly elevated the renal hemodynamics, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), anion gap, urinary output, and blood urea nitrogen–creatinine ratio (BUN/Crt). At early and late gestation, clay beverage consumption elevated the heartbeat, atherogenic index of plasma, cardiac risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficients. Creatinine kinase and troponin levels after clay beverage consumption significantly increased with gestation age, while lactate dehydrogenase elevation was independent of gestation age. Mg2+-ATPase and Na+/K+-ATPase significantly decreased during gestation and were further altered with clay beverage intake. The rats showed higher RAAS activities during early and late gestation stages but greatly decreased activities after clay beverage administration. When F2-isoprostane and malondialdehyde levels were measured, slight elevations were found during pregnancy and were greatly elevated with clay beverage intake, while the glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels were decreased. We thus discourage clay beverage consumption throughout the entire pregnancy period because of these profound homeostatic imbalances and organ toxicities associated with its consumption.

Preclinical Trial of Traditional Plant Remedies for the Treatment of Complications of Gestational Malaria

“…An enzymatic method according to the procedures in the Sigma-Aldrich assay kits were used for the determination of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) with a BT-3000 auto analyzer (Biotecnica Instruments, Licenza, 18-00156 Rome Italy). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cardiac risk ratio (CRR), and atherogenic coefficients (ACs) were calculated as follows [24]: LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5, CRR = TC/HDL, AC = CRR − 1 Creatine kinase was assayed by spectrophotometry at an absorbance of 450 nm according to the assay protocol described by Horder et al [25]. Lactate dehydrogenase was determined by enzymatic colorimetry using the methods described in the Lactate Dehydrogenase Kit (Sigma Aldrich St. Louis, MO, USA, Catalog No-MAK066) while the cardiac troponin test was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in accordance with the procedures on the ELISA kit (East Biopharm, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China).…”

Changes in Antioxidant Markers and Histopathology of Wistar Rats Fed with Edible Clay (Nzu)

“…The consumption of earth material also known as geophagia is common practice in many parts of the world [1]. In most African countries including Nigeria, calabash chalk popularly known as Nzu is one of the most commonly consumed geophagia material.…”