Consequences of Type-2 diabetes mellitus and Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters in men; a case-control study in a district hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and malaria infection are highly prevalent in Africa particularly, in the Sub-Saharan Region. A greater number of people in the Ghanaian population who have T2DM are also reported to harbor malaria parasites. This study aimed to investigate the influence of T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters among patients in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This hospital-based cross-sectional analytic case-control study comprised 254 adult male study participants comprising 80 T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity, 80 T2DM only, and 94 normal controls. A blood sample (10mL) was drawn from each participant to measure FBG, HbA1c levels, Testosterone levels, Total cholesterol, and determination of Malaria parasite density. Seminal fluid was also collected from each participant for semen analysis. Sperm kinetics of the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group particularly; total motility, rapid progressive motility, and slow progressive motility were negatively affected compared to both T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the Normal control (p<0.0001). Normal sperm morphology was significantly affected in the co-morbidity group compared to T2DM only (p<0.0001). Sperm vitality was also statistically significantly reduced in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity than in T2DM only (t (64) = -8.62; p<0.001). There was a significant decline in testosterone levels in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group than in the T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the control (p <0.0001). In conclusion, T2DM and malaria infection have a stronger propensity to alter sperm morphology and lower sperm motility and vitality.

Nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-infected patients at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be associated with outbreaks in communities (CA-MRSA) and hospitals (HA-MRSA). MRSA isolates are known to be resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics including methicillin. Moreover, HIV-infected individuals are highly at risk of CA-MRSA due to their weaker immune system. It is therefore important to keep surveillance of the prevalence. Our study aims at determining the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA among HIV-infected participants, the bacteria’s associations, and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. A cross-sectional study was conducted and nasal swabs from 657 participants attending the HIV clinic at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital were taken following guidelines. Confirmed S. aureus isolates were taken through antibiotic susceptibility tests per the Kirby–Bauer method, and isolates that were resistant to cefoxitin were considered to be MRSA. The carriage prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA was 44.7% and 8.2%, respectively, among the HIV-infected individuals. There was a significant association between hospitalization and MRSA colonization (p = 0.002), but not S. aureus colonization (p = 0.266). Significant association was also observed between age (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.0001), and S. aureus colonization. Similarly, differences in age groups (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.02), and MRSA colonization were statistically significant (p = 0.001). High percentage resistance was exhibited by the isolates to most of the antibiotics. However, this study did not record vancomycin resistance among the MRSA strains. The study showed high colonization of S. aureus and MRSA in HIV-infected patients, which was mostly associated with the age and sex of the individuals.

Alkaloidal extract from Carica papaya seeds ameliorates CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally. However, available treatments are expensive and are associated with adverse effects or poor treatment outcomes in advanced disease. Meanwhile, plants like Carica papaya have demonstrated various biological activities that further studies may lead to the identification of newer and safer treatment options for HCC.

Aim

To evaluate the anticancer activity of an alkaloidal extract derived from Carica papaya seeds using rodent models of HCC.

Experimental procedure

Carica Papaya fruits were collected and authenticated. The seeds were isolated and air-dried. Alkaloidal extract was prepared from a 70% ethanol soxhlet crude extract and referred to as Carica papaya alkaloidal extract (CPAE). HCC was induced in 68 out of 84 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 16 weeks. These rats were put into five groups of 10; Carica papaya alkaloidal extract [(CPAE) (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), Lenvatinib (4 mg/kg)], 1% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), and 2 untreated groups (control and model). A prophylaxis study was performed with 10 rats by co-administration of CPAE (200 mg/kg) and CCl₄ six hours apart for 16 weeks. Rats were sacrificed after a twelve-week treatment program under anesthesia for histological, hematological, and biochemical analyses.

Results and conclusion

CPAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly restored weight loss (48.44 and 51.75% respectively), reduced tumor multiplicity, and dose-dependently reversed liver histomorphological changes induced by CCl₄ compared to the model group. The CPAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) further reduced bleeding time, improved prothrombin time and restored platelet count (p < 0.01) compared to the model. The CPAE (200 mg/kg) again significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced serum alpha-fetoprotein levels compared to the model group and prevented the establishment of HCC in rats when concerrently administered with CCl₄ in 16 weeks prophylactic study.

Alkaloidal extract from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides stimulates insulin secretion in normoglycemic and nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction

Increase in the prevalence of type-2 diabetes in Sub-Sahara Africa has created the need for robust treatment and management programs. However, an effective diabetes management program requires a high annual budget that most countries in this region cannot afford. That said, various plants and plant products in this region have either been confirmed and/or ethnopharmacologically used for the management of type-2 diabetes.

Aim

To investigate the antidiabetic and insulin secretory effects of an alkaloidal extract derived from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides in normoglycemic and experimental diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Alkaloidal extract was prepared from leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (ZZAE). Nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes was modeled in male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 130 to 150 g. The experimental diabetic rats were grouped into six treatment groups [Model, 20% Tween20, chlorpropamide, and ZZAE (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg)], and one control group. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), and body weight were measured weekly. Rats were sacrificed 2 days after treatment under chloroform anesthesia to collect blood samples and to isolate major organs for biochemical, and histological analyses respectively. Islets of Langerhans were isolated from normoglycemic rats and co-cultured with ZZAE and chlorpropamide (10 μg/mL) to assess the insulin secretory effect of ZZAE.

Results

ZZAE improved glucose kinetics curve in normoglycemic (p < 0.001) and experimental diabetic rats (p < 0.05) compared to the model. ZZAE (100 and 150 mg/kg) restored islets population, and improved kidney, and liver, histoarchitecture. ZZAE (150 mg/kg) improved post-treatment serum insulin levels compared to the model group (p < 0.001) and the Chlorpropamide group (p < 0.05). ZZAE also restored glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles of experimental diabetic rats and stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic islets of Langerhans isolated from normoglycemic rats.

Conclusion

These results showed that ZZAE has active alkaloids that can be explored for diabetes management.