Age-Related Effects of Lead Poisoning on Some Haematological Parameters in Adult Wistar Rats

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, about a quarter of the diseases facing mankind today occur due to prolonged exposure to environmental pollution, and that most of these environment-related diseases are however, not easily detected and may be acquired during childhood and manifested later in adulthood. The aim of this work was to evaluate sub-chronic effects of lead poisoning on haematological parameters and some sex hormones, as well as age-related changes on Wistar Rats. Thirty (30) of 3-, 5-, and 7-months old male Wistar rats, were divided into experimental (lead fed) and control (distil water) groups. Haematological parameters were determined, while blood lead concentration was determined using the method of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase (46.00, 46.75, 50.75 vs 14.56, 18.00, 17.60) in blood lead concentration with insignificant (P˃ 0.05) increase in the concentration of WBC counts (12.433, 13.000, 12.250 Vs 12.400, 10.000, 11.250) between the experimental and control groups. Significant decrease in Body Weight (77.43, 107.88, 134.35Vs 130.66, 150.60, 165.62), RBC counts (5.333, 7.000, 6.250 Vs 7.000, 7.500, 7.250), PCV (22.667, 40.00, 35.25 Vs 37.600, 45.5,43.25), Hb (10.000, 12.000, 10.75 Vs 13.200, 13.250, 12.50), MCV (45.333, 54.500, 55.750 Vs 55.400, 59.500, 58.250), MCH levels (15.00016.25016.500 Vs 18.400, 17.750, 17.000), as well as insignificant decrease in platelet counts(410, 373, 341 Vs 437, 313, 384), and MCHC (29.67, 29.75, 30.00 Vs 32.800, 30.25, 29.250). The effect of lead (Pb) on these parameters was observed to be more pronounced in younger animals (P≤0.05). It was concluded that, ingestion of lead acetate produces more physiological derangement in young Wistar Rats.

Effect of Caffeine on Serum Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha and Lactate Dehydrogenase in Wistar Rats Exposed to Cerebral Ischaemia-reperfusion Injury

Caffeine is known to confer neuro-protection via A1 and A2A adenosine receptor antagonism in which adenosine neuro-modulates excitotoxic release of glutamate. Currently, it is unclear whether caffeine modulates inflammation in ischaemic stroke model. The present study examined effects of caffeine following ischaemia-reperfusion injury on neuro-inflammatory tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as effect of caffeine against brain ischaemic damage on histology. Thirty three adult male Wistar rats (180-300 g) were used in this study. They were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 each): Group I (Control) that received neither the operation nor any treatment; Group II (Sham/Water) received a pseudo-ischaemic-reperfusion and 1ml water for injection; Group III (BCCO/Water) that received complete bilateral common carotid occlusion (BCCO) and 1ml water for injection; Group IV (BCCO/Caffeine) that received complete BCCO and caffeine solution intraperitoneally at a dose of 50% LD50 value (144mg/kg); and thirteen rats were used for LD50 assessment. Sensory and motor functions significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the rat following ischaemia-reperfusion injury when compared to pre-injury state on Garcia neurological score. Caffeine reduced brain ischaemic injury and significantly reduced (p<0.05) TNF-α activity. While no significant effects (p>0.05) of caffeine was observed on LDH activity. This study has shown neuro-protective roles of caffeine against ischaemia-reperfusion damage to brain tissue, inflammatory TNF-α activity, but not on LDH activity.