Browsing by Author "Briggs, Ojoye N."

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    Effects of a Herbal Sex Enhancer (Vigpower) and Zinc Supplementation on Sex Hormones, Hepatic and Renal Function in Male Albino Rats
    (Ms. M. B. Mondal, 2023-06) Briggs, Ojoye N.; Elechi-Amadi, Kemzi N.; Anyia, Francis A.; Tetam, Jack G.; Yeghenee, Moses; Ben-Iyieke, Victor O.; George-Opuda, Ibitoroko M.
    Aim: This study evaluated the effects of a herbal sex enhancer (Vigpower) and zinc supplementation on sex hormones, hepatic and renal function in male albino rats. Methodology: A total of 49 male Albino rats weighing between 150 to 180g were used for the study. Vigpower, Viagra and zinc were orally administered to the ratsdaily for 28 days. Testosterone and estradiol were quantitatively determined using a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using the Reitman-Frankel method. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined using the Colorimetric endpoint method. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (CL-) were determined using ion selective electrode (ISE) method. Urea was determined using Urease bertholet method. Creatinine was determined using Jaffe-Slot method and qualitative phytochemical analysis was done on Vigpower capsule using classical methods. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, protodioscin, saponins and phenols in the herbal capsule Vigpower. Testosterone levels were significantly higher in all the treatment groups compared to the negative control, with group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + zinc) having the highest value. Estradiol levels were significantly lower, whereas testosterone-estradiol (T/E) ratio was significantly higher in all the treatment groups compared to the negative control, except for group 4 (zinc) which showed no significant difference compared to the negative control. ALT levels in the treatment groups were not significantly different from the negative control, except for groups 6 (Viagra + zinc) and 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + Zinc), which had significantly higher levels. AST and ALP levels in the treatment groups were not significantly different from the negative control, except for group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + Zinc), which was significantly higher than the negative control and all other treatment groups. There was no significant difference in sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-) and urea levels in the treatment groups, compared to the negative control. Potassium (K+) and creatinine levels were significantly higher in group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + zinc), compared to the negative control and all other treatment groups. Conclusion: Singular administration of Vigpower, Viagra and zinc increased testosterone levels of the male rats. Vigpower and Viagra had equipotent effects on the sex hormones and also increased the testosterone-estradiol ratio. Vigpower, Viagra and zinc administered singularly, had no impact on liver enzymes and renal function. However, the combination treatment of Vigpower, Viagra and zinc was hepatotoxic and elevated potassium and creatinine levels. Herbal sex enhancers and their combination with other medications could provoke the desired sexual effect, but may damage other organ systems and pose serious public health challenges.
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    Soluble transferrin receptor levels among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
    (Medip Academy, 2019-10) Azubuike, Nyebuchi C.; Elechi-Amadi, Kemzi N.; Briggs, Ojoye N.; Jeremiah, Zacchaeus A.
    Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is one of the medical problems that affect pregnant women in developing countries. It contributes considerably to the morbidity and mortality in pregnancy especially in areas where malaria is endemic. The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor is a reflection of body iron status. It is therefore, a valuable tool for assessing bone marrow erythropoetic activity and can also be a marker of iron deficiency.Methods: This study evaluated the levels of soluble transferrin receptor in pregnant subjects. A total of 275 pregnant subjects of age 20 to 45 years and 88 age-matched apparently healthy control subjects were involved in this study. Individuals who had severe anaemia, HIV infection, sickle cell disease or Hookworm infestation were excluded from this study. Five millilitres (5ml) of blood were collected from each consenting subject for the analysis of soluble transferrin receptor, haematological parameters and iron parameters using appropriate methods.Results: The mean value of parameters for the study subjects were sTfR( 21.16±9.11 nmol/L), Hb(9.05±1.22 g/dl), TIBC(332.61±80.87 µg/dl), Serum Iron(97.91±39.44 µg/dl), LIBC(239.36±80.52 µg/dl), TS(30.24±11.00 %) while for control subjects were sTfR(18.21±3.77 nmol/L), Hb(12.19±0.66 g/dl), TIBC(261.94±52.49µg/dl), Serum Iron(107.10±34.77 µg/dl), LIBC(155.52±61.25 µg/dl), TS(42.81±18.03 %). The mean sTfR levels in pregnant women was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in control subjects. The pregnant women also had significantly lower values of Hb (p<0.001), serum iron (p=0.038) and TS( p<0.001) values, and significantly higher values of TIBC(p<0.0001) and LIBC(p<0.0001). There were also increases in soluble transferrin receptor levels from first to third trimesters. The sensitivity of sTfR as against Serum iron parameters from this study was 76% while the specificity was 50%. The positive predictive value was 60% while the negative predictive value was 50%.Conclusions: sTfR may be a useful supplementary diagnostic tool in the management of anaemia in pregnancy.