Search

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Catha edulis on the prefrontal cortex oxidative markers and hematological profile of Wistar rats. Study Design: The study design was experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Kampala International University, Uganda and Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda. Between January and May, 2021. Methodology: Fresh C. edulis leaves were collected after on-spot identification, and authenticated before being chopped into small pieces and pulverized mechanically. The powdered material was extracted through cold maceration using 70% ethanol for 72 h. The extract was concentrated in vacuo to dryness at 40oC using rotary evaporator. The lethal dose (LD50) of the crude extract was determined using acute toxicity test. The sub-acute toxicity of the crude extract was evaluated by orally administering daily doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg to the male Wistar rats for 28 days. The animals were monitored for mortality, behavioral and physiological signs of toxicity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) activities and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated using standard methods. The blood samples were analyzed using the automated hematology analyzer: Mindray BC-6000. Shenzhen, China. Results: The median lethal dose (LD50) of the C. edulis leaf extract was greater than 5000mg/kg b w. The SOD and CAT activities of C. edulis treated groups compared to the control group were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in C. edulis treated groups compared to the control group. There was no significant change in the hematological parameters, however, there were slight variations in the WBC and RBC counts in some C. edulis treated groups. Conclusion: Long term chewing of C. edulis could result in oxidative stress. It is therefore important for chronic C. edulis leaf chewers to take caution.

The responses of selected rice accessions to variant salt concentrations and in-silico analysis of DREB1A gene among diploid Oryza species were evaluated. Ten (10) rice accessions were selected based on their popularity in farmer's fields. Seedlings of each variety (one per pot) were watered with variant salt concentrations of 0mM, 100mM and 200mM for 21 days. The morpho-physiological characters (plant height, number of tillers, root length and dry weight) were evaluated using a standard evaluation system for rice. The reference sequences of OsDREB1A and AtDREB1A were used as queries to search against the 10 diploid Oryza species in the BLASTN of the PlantEnsembl database to reveal DREB1A orthologs. The retrieved DREB1A orthologs were used to compute the physicochemical properties of their proteins, gene motifs, intron-exon architecture and phylogenetic relationship. The studied accessions showed significant differences (p0.05) between the control and salt-treated groups. Additionally, the in-silico analysis of DREB1A gene identified 10 orthologs with conserved single transcript, AP2 domain and unstable protein (characteristics of TFs) across the 10 diploid Oryza species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 3 clusters of African rice and its progenitor, Asian rice and their relatives and O. brachyantha/O. punctata complex, similar to the evolution of rice species. Conclusively, salt stress affects rice in a concentration-dependent manner and DREB1A gene is a conserved plant transcription factor (TF) across diploid Oryza species.

Hepatotoxicity, micronutrients insufficiency and cost of micronutrient supplements are challenges faced by HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study investigated the effect of natural plant micronutrients (vitamins A, C, and E, selenium and Zinc supplements from carrot-ginger (75:25) blend on liver enzymes: Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST), CD4 + T lymphocytes and body mass index (BMI) of HIV-infected-patients taking ART. Ninety HIV-infected-patients attending Special Treatment Clinic, Kafanchan General Hospital, Kaduna State, Nigeria, were randomized into three groups of thirty patients each: Group 1 is control group and received ART alone, Group 2 is standard group and received ART with ready to use commercial micronutrient supplement (SelACER supplement) while Group 3 is supplement group and received ART + Carrot-Ginger blend for 90 days. Serum Alanine, Aspartate transaminase, CD4 + T lymphocytes and BMI were assessed using standard methods at baseline (day 0), 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. The results indicated that patients on CarrotGinger blend and SelACER micronutrients supplements show significant (p0.05) difference in patients treated with ART alone when compared to their baseline values. The results indicated that patients on carrot-ginger blend and SelACE® supplements had significant (p0.05) difference in patients treated with ART alone compared to their baseline values. In addition, patients on SelACE® supplement revealed significant (p

This study identified the rationale that prompted the problems on how workers’ satisfaction can help eliminate and reduce the problems that led to the complains made by students and other stakeholders. The major objective of the study is to examine the influence of demographic factors on job satisfaction of workers in Adamawa State University, Mubi. The total population of the study is eight hundred and twenty four (824) which comprises of two hundred and thirty two Academic Staff (232) and five hundred and ninety two (592) non academic Staff of different carders, the sample size for this study is 269. The instrument used for collecting data from the respondents is the questionnaire, and the data collected from the respondents was analyzed using percentage analysis. The regression analysis shows that the t – statistics is negative and positively signed (r = -12.846, - = 0.243, 0.085 & -13.818, P < 0.05). Also the findings revealed that staffs are not satisfied with the content quality of their responsibility. The study therefore, recommends that management should be give due consideration when dealing with staff in a flexible ways not rigid, the management should also provide adequate technical support needed to carry out their duties diligently. Keywords: Demographic, factors, influence, job & satisfaction.

Malnutrition is a major health problem worldwide and causes about 2.3 million deaths among under-5 children in low- and middle-income countries annually including Nigeria. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the nutritional status of under-five children (0-59 months) and associated factors in Danko-Wasagu. The socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of childhood diseases, anthropometric parameters and dietary pattern of the children were evaluated. The results indicated that 54.8% of the caregivers are young adults within 20 to 24 years of age with 41.7% having two living children. In addition, 58% of the caregivers have monthly family income below ₦20,000 with no any formal education. The Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Weight-for-Height (WFH) indices indicated that none of the children had Severe-Acute-Malnutrition (SAM). However, there was 65.5% prevalence of diarrhea, 45.2% with dermatitis and 25.0% with acute respiratory infections. In addition, stunting, underweight and wasting among the children investigated were 72.7%, 29.8% and 11.9% respectively. Consumption of cereals based diet by the children was 92.7% while 28.6% and 31.0% of the children met the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency respectively. Caregiver’s age was observed to associate significantly (p

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a global health problem characterized by decreased in bone mineral density (BMD) and progressive deterioration of microarchitecture and subsequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. More than 200 million people suffer from osteoporosis worldwide with about 8.9 million fractures and the prevalence rate of osteoporosis is expected to increase significantly in the future because of increased in life expectancy and aging population. Milk-derived bioactive peptides from cow, goat, sheep, buffalo, and camel exhibit several potential health promoting effect including antiosteoporosis, antihypertensive, antioxidative, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Epidemiological and intervention studies have shown that milk and milk-derived peptides prevented bone loss in pre- and postmenopausal women. Moreover, quite a lot of studies have reported that milk-derived bioactive peptides can induce osteoblast cell proliferation, differentiation and also prevented bone loss in osteoporotic rats model. Thus, milk-derived peptides exhibits beneficial effect against bone-related diseases and can be of particular interest towards prevention and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hence, the present review summarizes various studies using ISI, SCOPUS and PubMed indexed journals to elucidate the potential role of milk-derived bioactive peptides with in vitro and in vivo antiosteoporotic property

Blood pressure is regulated by the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). Renin-catalyzed conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I is the rate-limiting step of the RAAS pathway, which arguably makes renin a better target for prevention, treatment and management of hypertension than Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). Hydrolysis of food proteins releases bioactive peptides that can interact with receptors, enzymes and molecules in the organism to promote health. Several studies have shown that these bioactive peptides could be exploited for management of hypertension which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Antihypertensive peptides are bioactive peptides derived from plant and animal sources with inherent potential to ameliorate hypertension by different mechanism including scavenging of free radicals, reduced cholesterol level, inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and renin production. Although there was sufficient information on ACE-inhibitory and antioxidative peptides while information on the potential role of renin-inhibitory peptides against hypertension is limited. Thus, herein the present review primarily used ISI, SCOPUS and PubMed indexed journals containing experimental reports to elucidate the potential role of bioactive peptides against antihypertensive effect via renin inhibition. Key words: Hypertension; Bioactive peptides; Renin inhibition; Mechanism of action.

Objective: The liver is a key metabolic organ involved in lipid metabolism and maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in the body. However, hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress is associated with the fatty liver which is the major risk factor associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The objective of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic property of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in dexamethasone-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Materials and Methods: Dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) was administered on alternate days intraperitoneally for 28 days to induce hyperlipidemia. NAC (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) was daily administered intraperitoneally for 28 days. After 24 h of the last treatment blood and liver samples were collected. Results: The relative body and liver weights, activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile, and antioxidant defense markers were measured. The result indicated that the treatment of hyperlipidemic rats with 50 and 100 mg/kg NAC significantly (P < 0.05) prevented dexamethasone-induced body weight loss and restored liver weight. In addition, NAC reduced the elevation of hepatic enzymes activities induced by dexamethasone. Moreover, NAC exhibits hypolipidemic effect as demonstrated by reversal of serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and atherogenic index. Conclusion: These findings indicated that NAC was able to restore dyslipidemia induced by dexamethasone through improving liver function parameters and augments antioxidant defense systems. Altogether the anti- hyperlipidemic effects exhibited by NAC might have been mediated partly through antioxidant actions and could be beneficial against CVDs.

Desertification has become one of the most pronounced ecological disasters, affecting arid and semi-arid areas of Nigeria. This phenomenon is more pronounced in the northern region, particularly the eleven frontline states of Nigeria, sharing borders with the Niger Republic. This has been attributed to a range of natural and anthropogenic factors. Rampant felling of trees for fuelwood, unsustainable agriculture, overgrazing, coupled with unfavourable climatic conditions are among the key factors that aggravate the desertification phenomenon. This study applied geospatial analysis to explore land use/land cover changes and detect major conversions from ecologically active land covers to sand dunes. Results indicate that areas covered by sand dunes (a major indicator of desertification) have doubled over the 25 years under consideration (1990 to 2015). Even though 0.71 km2 of dunes was converted to vegetation, indicative of the success of various international, national, local and individual afforestation efforts, conversely about 10.1 km2 of vegetation were converted to sand dunes, implying around 14 times more deforestation compared to afforestation. On average, our results revealed that the sand dune in the study area is progressing at a mean annual rate of 15.2 km2 annually. The land cover conversion within the 25-year study period was from vegetated land to farmlands. Comparing the progression of a sand dune with climate records of the study area and examining the relationship between indicators of climate change and desertification suggested a mismatch between both processes, as increasing rainfall and lower temperatures observed in 1994, 2005, 2012, and 2014 did not translate into positive feedbacks for desertification in the study area. Likewise, the mean annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from 2000 to 2015 shows a deviation between vegetation peaks, mean temperatures and rainfall. On average, our results reveal that the sand dune is progressing at a mean annual rate of about 15.2 km2 in the study area. Based on this study’s land cover change, trend and conversion assessment, visual reconciliation of climate records of land cover data, statistical analysis, observations from ground-truthing, as well as previous literature, it can be inferred that desertification in Nigeria is less a function of climate change, but more a product of human activities driven by poverty, population growth and failed government policies. Further projections by this study also reveal a high probability of more farmlands being converted to sand dunes by the years 2030 and 2045 if current practices prevail.

Selective permeability of biological membranes represents a significant barrier to the delivery of therapeutic substances into both microorganisms and mammalian cells, restricting the access of drugs into intracellular pathogens. Cell-penetrating peptides usually 5-30 amino acids with the characteristic ability to penetrate biological membranes have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents for treating infections as well as an effective delivery modality for biological conjugates such as nucleic acids, drugs, vaccines, nanoparticles, and therapeutic antibodies. However, several factors such as antimicrobial resistance and poor drug delivery of the existing medications justify the urgent need for developing a new class of antimicrobials. Herein, we review cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) used to treat microbial infections. Although these peptides are biologically active for infections, effective transduction into membranes and cargo transport, serum stability, and half-life must be improved for optimum functions and development of next-generation antimicrobial agents.

Traditional fuel in the form of firewood and charcoal has been, and is still the predominant source of energy for domestic cooking in sub-Saharan Africa. However, charcoal burning is associated with deforestation. The aim of this study was to assess the preference as well method of production of charcoal in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to select Kajuru, Kachia and Chikin. Species enumeration was performed and method of production were recorded at each production centres. a lotal of 250 intervied schedule was administered to ascertain the perceive effect. Research shows that P. Africana has the highest mean while D. guinees has lowest mean. furthermore the most widely method used is earth pit kiln with 55% and suitable trunk size was big trunk with 31% couple with the most preferred tree species, P africana 27.41%. in conclusion, the finding of the work reveal that certain tree species were threaten by charcoal production due to the quantum of yield extracted.

Bioactive peptides are functional agents encrypted in food proteins with several potential health benefits. Food-derived proteins when hydrolysed release large variety of bioactive peptides which are similar in structure to peptide sequences acting in the organism as endogenous signals, or hormones and alter their physiological functions. Moreover, these bioactive peptides owing to their high tissue affinity, specificity and efficiency can interact with receptors, enzymes and certain biomolecules in organism thereby confer health promoting effects. In addition, several studies have revealed that these peptides exhibit beneficial effects for the treatment and management of chronic and several degenerative diseases including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Therefore, this review mainly used ISI, SCOPUS and PubMed indexed journals containing various experimental reports on in vitro and in vivo studies from humans and animals to elucidate the potential health promoting effects of food-derived bioactive peptides with emphasis on antihypertensive peptides, antidiabetic peptides, cholesterol-lowering peptides, anticancer peptides, and antimicrobial peptides.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and reactive oxygen species are crucial targets for nutritional management of hypertension. The aim of this study is to investigate ACE inhibitory and antioxidative effects of camel and horse milk casein hydrolysates. After casein was isolated from raw camel and horse milk, the purity and molecular weights of the isolated casein were verified using SDS-PAGE prior to digestion with pepsin, trypsin and combined enzymes. The results obtained showed that hydrolysates obtained from pepsin and trypsin combined enzymes exhibited higher ACE-inhibitory activity than individual enzymes. In addition, DPPH radical scavenging activity (%) was significantly (p

Oxidative stress has been linked to osteoblast cells dysfunction and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effects casein-derived antioxidative peptide VLPVPQK (PEP) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced dysfunction and oxidative damage in osteoblast cells. The present data demonstrated that treatment of osteoblast cells with PEP increases cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. PEP also reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell death and capsase-3/9 activities. Moreover, PEP prevent oxidative stress-induced down regulation of osteogenic genes (ALP, OCN, COL-I) expression and matrix mineralization. In addition, PEP decreases the expression of bone resorbing and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our data demonstrated that PEP increases osteoblast cells differentiation through augmentation of osteogenic genes expression and antioxidant enzymes activities. Altogether, PEP exhibits bone health-promoting effect and could be beneficial agent for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Maternal dyslipidaemia and atherogenic lipid profiles have undesirable effects on maternal and foetal well-being throughout gestation. This study investigates the changes in serum lipid profiles, the prevalence of dyslipidaemia, and the risk of cardiovascular disease among pregnant women attending the antenatal care unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano.A total of 112 pregnant women visiting AKTH in their second trimester were recruited and followed up within their third trimester. The demographic characteristics, daily dietary consumption patterns, and lipid profiles of all women were assessed using standard methods.The results revealed that the mean age and gestational age of the pregnant women were approximately 29 ± 6 years and 20 ± 3 weeks, respectively. Most pregnant women were multiparous (76) and multigravida (93). Regarding daily dietary consumption patterns, 20.5%, 63.4%, 13.4%, and 8.0% of the pregnant women consumed nuts, palm oil, butter, and sardines at least one to three times, respectively. Moreover, the serum lipid profiles revealed that the prevalence of dyslipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, increased low-density lipoprotein levels, and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels among pregnant women during the second trimester were 69.6%, 19.6%, 36.6%, 18.8%, and 49.1%, respectively. All these parameters significantly increased to 91.8%, 54.1%, 75.3%, 40.0%, and 62.4%, respectively, in the third trimester. Pregnant women showed a high risk of cardiovascular disease in both the second (81.0%) and third (85.0%) trimesters.Progression from mid-pregnancy to delivery is associated with an increased risk of maternal dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular diseases among pregnant women.خلل شحميات الدم وخصائص الدهون في الشرايين لهما آثار غير مرغوب فيها على صحة الأم والجنين طوال فترة الحمل. تبحث هذه الدراسة في التغيرات في مستوى الدهون في الدم، وانتشار عسر شحميات الدم وخطر الإصابة بأمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية بين النساء الحوامل اللائي يترددن على وحدة الرعاية السابقة للولادة في مستشفى أمينو كانو التعليمي، كانو.تم تجنيد ما مجموعه ١١٢ امرأة حامل، في الثلث الثاني من الحمل عند زيارة مستشفى أمينو كانو التعليمي، ومتابعتهم حتى الثلث الثالث من الحمل. تم تقييم الخصائص الديموغرافية ونمط الاستهلاك الغذائي اليومي والملف الدهني لجميع النساء باستخدام الطرق القياسية.أظهرت النتائج أن متوسط عمر المرأة الحامل وعمرها الحملي كان حوالي ٢٩ ± ٦ سنوات و٢٠ ± ٣ أسابيع على التوالي. كانت معظم النساء الحوامل متعددات الولادة (٧٦) ومتعددات الحمل (٩٣). أظهر نمط الاستهلاك الغذائي اليومي لدى النساء الحوامل أن ٢٠.٥٪ و٦٣.٤٪ و١٣.٤٪ و٨.٠٪ استهلكوا المكسرات وزيت النخيل والزبدة والسردين ما لا يقل عن ١-٣ مرات على التوالي. علاوة على ذلك، أظهر تحليل الدهون في الدم أن انتشار عسر شحميات الدم، فرط كوليسترول الدم، ارتفاع الدهون الثلاثية، ارتفاع البروتين الشحمي الخفيض الكثافة وانخفاض البروتين الشحمي المرتفع الكثافة بين النساء الحوامل خلال الثلث الثاني من الحمل كانت ٦٩.٦٪، ١٩.٦٪، ٣٦.٦٪، ١٨.٨٪ و٤٩.١٪ على التوالي. زادت كل هذه العلامات بشكل ملحوظ إلى ٩١.٨٪، ٥٤.١٪، ٣.٧٥٪، ٤٠.٠٪ و٦٢.٤٪ على التوالي في الثلث الثالث. وأظهرت النساء الحوامل مخاطر عالية للإصابة بأمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية في الثلث الثاني (٨١.٠٪) والثالث (٨٥.٠٪).التقدم من منتصف الحمل إلى الولادة يرتبط بزيادة خطر الإصابة بعسر شحميات الدم لدى الأمهات وأمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية بين النساء الحوامل.

In the last decade, several studies have reported health beneficial effects of milk derived bioactive peptides in several degenerative diseases including postmenopausal osteoporosis. Here in the present study we investigate antiosteopenic effect of buffalo milk casein-derived peptide (NAVPITPTL) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 8): Sham, OVX, OVX + peptide (100 µg/kg), and OVX + PTH (30 µg/kg). At the end of 8 weeks of respective treatments, femur anthropometric, bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical and immunological parameters were analyzed. The results indicated that daily treatment of peptide at 100 µg/kg to OVX rats partially prevented body weight gain, uterine weight loss and uterine atrophy. Moreover, micro-CT 3D image data showed that OVX induced significant (P

The main aim of this paper is to analyse the behavioural finance theory and its impact on return on investments. Other objectives of this work are to assess the extent to which psychology of the mind of an investor affects investments decisions, and also to examine the behavior of investors and managers toward risk and returns. Also the study identifies how investors design their portfolios according to the rules of their behavior, and investors hope for riches at a lower level of aspirations. The paper gives an insight in understanding how emotions and cognitive errors influence investors and the decision making process. The methodology used for this study was research from the field of psychology in order to have a better understanding of financial decision and create the discipline of behavior finance. Data obtained for the study was through primary source by asking 10 investors that has to do with their behavior and attitude toward risk averse, risk seekers and risk neutral in investments, and secondary sources such as journals from the field of psychology and finance. The method used for analyzing the data was obtained through the use of statistical tools called the Cochran Q test. The study revealed that there was no significant difference between the behavior of investors attitude towards the different kind of risk, investors fear loss of cash in case the business do not augur well for them, they are of the opinion that they only strike on opportunity when it comes their way. Dr. Sanusi Bello "The Analysis of Behavioural Finance Theory and its Impacts on Returns on Investment in Selected Businesses in Yola Metropolis Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-2 , February 2018, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd10850.pdf

Objectives Oxidative stress has been implicated as a crucial pathogenic factor in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Milk-derived antioxidative peptides are gaining much attention toward the development of prodrugs for alleviating several human diseases, including osteoporosis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether antioxidant peptides are good candidates for alleviating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods In the present study, an ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rat model was used to investigate the protective effects of buffalo milk casein-derived novel peptide VLPVPQK (PEP) against OVX-induced bone loss and the related mechanisms. Results Results of the present study indicated that daily administration of antioxidative peptide PEP at 50 and 100 μg/kg for 8 wk prevents body weight gain, uterine weight loss, and atrophy of endometrial lumen. Moreover, PEP increased femur dry weight, ash weight, bone ash calcium, and serum calcium and phosphorus level. Interestingly, PEP increased bone mineral density and improved trabecular microarchitecture in both femur and tibia of OVX rats. Additionally, PEP increased bone strength, reduced serum bone turnover markers, inhibited bone resorbing cytokines and decreased malondialdehyde level in OVX rat. Furthermore, PEP-elevated serum transforming growth factor-β, increased, reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity altered by OVX. Conclusion We demonstrated that PEP exhibits antiosteopenic effects via enhancement of antioxidant activity and reduction of bone-resorbing cytokines expression.

Oxidative stress is one of a critical pathogenic factor in the progression of aging and chronic diseases such as cancer, myocardial inflammation and diabetes. In the present scenario, peptides with short half life and more biological specificities are gaining much attention as prodrugs. Thus, the present investigation carried out to screen potential antioxidative peptide, VLPVPQK to cope with the cellular oxidative damage. Our results showed that treatment of rat fibroblast cells with 0.2 mM H2O2 for 6 h significantly declined different oxidative stress biomarkers such as SOD, CAT, GSH, and promoted LDH activity. In addition, ROS and TNF-α levels were also increased upon H2O2 exposure for 6 h and thereby, it induced cell death. Amazingly, pretreatment of the peptide (VLPVPQK) significantly elevated cell survivability, by reversing all H2O2 induced alterations in fibroblast cells. Therefore, our results indicated that, the peptide (VLPVPQK) acted as a potential cytoprotective agent, who restored redox balance and cell homeostasis in cultured fibroblast cells, even after H2O2 exposure, suggesting that the peptide can be valuable as an effective remedy in treatment of oxidative stress related diseases and skin inflammation related disorders.

Objective: To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods: Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105 °C until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO3: HClO4:H2SO4), and then the digested samples were diluted to 100 ml with deionized water. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Iron Fe, and Cd) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Our results revealed that concentrations and distribution patterns of all heavy metals studied varied significantly (P

Oxidative stress inhibits osteoblast differentiation and function that lead to the development of osteoporosis. Casein-derived peptide VLPVPQK (PEP), a potent antioxidant, was isolated from β-casein of buffalo milk. We used an in vitro oxidative stress model induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in rat osteoblastic cells to investigate the protective effects of PEP against H2O2-induced dysfunction and oxidative damage. Cells were pretreated with PEP (50–200 ng/mL) for 2, 7 or 21 days followed by 0.3 mM H2O2 treatment for 24 h and then markers of osteogenic development, oxidative damage and apoptosis were examined. PEP significantly increased the viability and differentiation markers of osteoblast cells such as alkaline phosphatase and calcium mineralization. Moreover, PEP suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and ameliorated H2O2-induced reduction in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. In addition, PEP partially inhibited caspase-9 and-3 activities and reduced propidium iodide–positive cells. Altogether, our results demonstrated that PEP could protect rat osteoblast against H2O2-induced dysfunction and oxidative damage by reduction of ROS production, lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Thus, our data suggest that PEP might be a valuable protective agent against oxidative stress–related diseases such as osteoporosis.

Milk is a potential nutraceutical with wide range of bioactive compounds that are antioxidative, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, opioid and antihypertensive. Various intervention studies with milk reflect its stupendous role in elevating bone mineral density. Milk and milk products have shown a preventive effect in bone loss during pre- and postmenopausal women. Since, milk is proved to have a vital role in bone health promotion, there is a need to identify bioactive compounds within it. Recently we have reported four novel peptides from milk casein for their osteoblast proliferation activity. Their role in differentiation and the signaling cascade evoked by them have not been studied. Thus, the present study has been designed to investigate the differentiation potential and signaling cascade of one of the novel peptides, that is, NAVPITPTL by analyzing osteoblast differentiation markers such as alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and mineral deposition. All the experimentations suggested a significant role of this peptide in osteoblast differentiation. The inhibitor studies, immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting have proven that the peptide-induced differentiation through pAkt signaling cascade as pAkt was observed in nucleus. Moreover, the peptide was found to be bioaccessible up to 1%.