N. Okolie | University of Benin, Benin City , Nigeria. (original) (raw)
Papers by N. Okolie
Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine, 1998
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract Annona muricata (... more This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract Annona muricata (soursop) on N,N-dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Four groups of Wistar albino rats (12 rats/group) were used for the study. One group received intra-peritoneal injection of 10mg of DMN/kg body wt. thrice a week (on the first three days) for 14 days, in addition to the extract at a dose of 200mg/kg body wt. given by gavage. A second group received the same dose of DMN but without extract, while rats in the third group were administered the same dose of extract without DMN. Members of the fourth group were given physiological saline (vehicle), and served as controls. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed by cardiac puncture. Blood samples were collected from the ocular vein, and the sera were analysed for aspartate transaminase, AST; alanine transaminase, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, ALP; while collagen, malondialdehyde, MDA; reduced glutathione, GSH, superoxide...
Malondialdehyde levels of frozen fish, chicken and turkey on sale in Benin City markets
African Journal of Biotechnology, 2005
Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were anal... more Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and the values were compared. Three of the bottled samples contained toxic levels of either Pb or Cd or both. Neither metal was detected in fresh palm wine. Zn, Cr and Ni were 2 to 15 times higher while Cu was 2 to 5 times lower in bottled samples than values for fresh sample. The likelihood of water- derived heavy metal contamination during bottling, and its potential health implication for consumers are discussed. Key words: Palm wine, bottling, mineral elements African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 829-832
Metallic nanoparticles serve as vehicles for delivery of bioactive molecules from plants having d... more Metallic nanoparticles serve as vehicles for delivery of bioactive molecules from plants having distinct advantages over crude extract, which includes enhanced solubility, bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Annona muricata leaf aqueous extract acted as the reducing and stabilizing agents with aurochlorohydric acid as the substrate. In the characterization studies of the biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles (A*AuNP), UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine the surface plasma resonance vibration, X Ray Diffractometry was used to determine the structure and FT-IR spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups present. Male Wister rats were administered doses of 100 or 200mg A*AuNPs/kg body weight and also 100mg/kg body weight of crude extract, AMAE and gold nanoparticles standard, S*AuNPs. The effects of the treatments on hematological parameters were determined in the plasma using standard techniques. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility was determined spectrophotometr...
Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2002
Food Chemistry, 1989
The cyanide contents of seeds of varieties of Phaseolus aureus, Vigna unguculata, Cajanus cajan a... more The cyanide contents of seeds of varieties of Phaseolus aureus, Vigna unguculata, Cajanus cajan and Canavalia gladiatus were studied. Results obtained show total cyanide contents of 381-1093, 285-1223, and 208-953 mg kg-1 dry weight of intact seed, testa and cotyledons, respectively, with testa having 3-5 times higher HCN than cotyledons in some cases. Soaking of seeds in water for 24 h led to appreciable losses in HCN, while boiling for 3 h caused drastic reduction (49-95%) in HCN. After boiling for 3 h, innocuous HCN levels were obtained with seeds previously soaked in water for 24 h and divested of testa. Thus soaking of bean seeds in water and subsequent removal of testa prior to boiling will decrease HCN in bean meals.
International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review
The effect of Annona muricata methanol leaf extract (AMELE) on colon antioxidant status and keton... more The effect of Annona muricata methanol leaf extract (AMELE) on colon antioxidant status and ketone bodies in blood and urine of cycas treated rats was investigated. Seventy male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into seven groups of ten experimental animals in a study that lasted for twenty-eight days. After 28 days, using standard methods, serum and urinary ketone bodies were assayed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidants enzymes in the colon and histopathological analysis were assayed. The results showed ketogenic diet had significant (p<0.05) increase in serum and urinary ketone body levels compared to other groups on normal feed. Annona muricata extract enhanced cellular consumption and uptake of ketone bodies whereas cycas reduced cellular consumption of ketone bodies. Annona muricata given either with ketogenic diet or cycas or with both ketogenic diet and cycas led to higher tissue levels of antioxidant enzymes. Tissue MDA levels were significantly (p<0.05) increa...
The aim of this study is to review a procarcinogen, the N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), liver and ... more The aim of this study is to review a procarcinogen, the N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), liver and kidney functional enzymes (in assessing action of toxicants such as NDMA) as well as oxidative stress parameters (in assessing the extent of free radical damage and scavenging). Catalase and hydro peroxidase enzymes convert hydrogen peroxide and hydro peroxides to non-radical forms and functions as natural antioxidant in human body. Enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) and compounds such as tocopherol and ascorbic acid can protect organisms against free radical damage. Lipid peroxidation is a mechanism generally recognized as being the most important in the pathogenesis of liver injury by a number of toxic compounds including NDMA.
Journal of Pharmaceutical & Scientific Innovation, 2015
Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with sever... more Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects, not much is known about the toxic effect of the herb. This study was designed to assess the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant on some vital organ functions in rabbits. Three groups of rabbits (six rabbits/groups) were used. Two groups received either 10 mg or 20 mg of aqueous extract/kg body weight for 18 days via oro-gastric route. Members of the third group received saline and served as controls. On the 18 th day, the rabbits were sacrificed following an overnight fast and blood samples were collected via the ear veins in heparinised bottles for plasma preparation. The kidney, liver and pancreas were quickly dissected out and weighed portions were used in preparation of tissue homogenates for biochemical analysis. Using standard procedures, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), electrolytes (Na + , K + and Cl -), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total proteins and albumin were assayed either in tissues or in plasma or both. The results obtained showed that the extract significantly and dose-dependently decreased plasma Na + , urea and creatinine, while plasma Cland K + were significantly elevated relative to control (P < 0.05). The extract also significantly increased fasting blood glucose and plasma amylase (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pancreatic protein and pancreatic amylase were significantly decreased. The plasma levels of GGT, AST and ALP were significantly higher in the extract-treated rabbits, while the activities of the enzymes were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05). ALT did not follow a definite pattern, initially significantly decreasing in plasma and then increasing at the higher extract dose, while the activity of the enzyme significantly increased dose-dependently in the liver (P < 0.05). The extract significantly decreased liver and kidney total protein as well as plasma total protein and plasma albumin (P < 0.05). These results suggest that E. heterophylla may have toxic effects on vital organs and may provide a basis for rationalizing the adverse health effects frequently associated with the use of this herbal laxative.
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology, 1994
The effect of oral KCN administration on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activ... more The effect of oral KCN administration on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities was studied in some rabbit tissues. Generally, the order of activity of the enzymes was kidney > liver > ileum > colon. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the activities of all the ATPases in the tissues of KCN-treated rabbits relative to controls. The decreases in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were most pronounced in liver and kidney. The decreases in ATPases suggest impairment of membrane function as a result of the toxic effect of cyanide.
Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2005
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 2011
Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2007
We have investigated how the endothelium affects vascular responses following sub-chronic low dos... more We have investigated how the endothelium affects vascular responses following sub-chronic low dose cyanide administration. Cyanide exists in low levels in cassava foods, which are widely consumed in tropical Africa. Adult rabbits were administered 0.38 mg/kg per day KCN po for 25 days, and responses of the isolated aortic rings to noradrenaline (NA), calcium chloride (Ca2+) and acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in vitro in the presence and absence of the endothelium. In order to establish that the dose was not toxic, animal weight, some haematological indices, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Results show that endothelium denudation significantly (P <0.05) attenuates NA-induced contraction in rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. There was a similar reduction in response in Ca2+-depleted NA-precontracted endothelium-denuded aortic rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. Endothelium-denuded rings from cyanide-treated rabbits show...
Food Chemistry, 1993
Analysis of the seeds of Dacryodes edulis showed it to contain 76 g kg ~ carbohydrates, 338 g kg ... more Analysis of the seeds of Dacryodes edulis showed it to contain 76 g kg ~ carbohydrates, 338 g kg -I proteins, 110 g kg -I fixed oil, 126 g kg -1 ash, 273 g kg l crude fibre and appreciable amounts of K, Ca, Na, Mg and P. The amino acid profile showed it to be rich in the essential amino acids lysine, phenylalanine, leucine and isoleucine. The oil had the following fatty acids: palmitic (61.9%), oleic (18.3%) and linoleic (19.0%). Preliminary studies did not reveal the presence of toxic principles.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1999
The effect of prolonged chronic cyanide exposure on liver and kidney integrity, as well as some a... more The effect of prolonged chronic cyanide exposure on liver and kidney integrity, as well as some associated enzyme and metabolite changes, were investigated in New Zealand white rabbits (initial mean weight 1.52 kg) using a combination of colorimetric, spectrophotometric, enzymatic, gravimetric and histological procedures. Two groups of rabbits were fed for 40 weeks on either pure growers' mash or growers' mash containing 702 ppm inorganic cyanide. Results obtained indicate that the cyanide-fed rabbits had significantly decreased liver activities of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase relative to controls (P<0.05). On the other hand, there were significant increases (P<0.05) in the serum activities of these enzymes in the cyanide-treated group. Kidney alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while serum urea and creatinine were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the cyanide group relative to controls. The cyanide treatment led to significant increases in both tissue and serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, liver and kidney rhodanese activities were significantly raised in the cyanide-fed group. There were marked degenerative changes in the liver and kidney sections from the cyanide-treated rabbits. These results suggest that chronic cyanide exposure may be deleterious to liver and kidney functions.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1999
Bean pastes from the black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Ife brow... more Bean pastes from the black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Ife brown (V. unguiculata) were processed into a popular West African snack moi-moi, cooked in open aluminium cups and in sealed, thin, transparent cellophane bags. The residual total, free and bound cyanide levels of moi-moi from both processes were determined using a combination of enzymatic and colorimetric procedures. Results showed that in all cases, cooking of moi-moi in open aluminium cups caused retention of significantly higher (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) residual free cyanide than cooking in sealed cellophane bags. Loss of bound cyanide was unaffected by cooking procedure. These results suggest that cooking of moi-moi in cellophane bags reduces the risks of cyanide exposure from legumes.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2000
AbstractÐThe histotoxic eects of chronic cyanide insult on heart, lung and pancreatic tissues, an... more AbstractÐThe histotoxic eects of chronic cyanide insult on heart, lung and pancreatic tissues, and some corroborative enzyme and metabolite changes were studied in New Zealand White rabbits using colorimetric, enzymatic and histochemical methods. Two groups of rabbits were fed for 10 months on either pure growers mash or grower mash +702 ppm inorganic cyanide. There were no signi®cant dierences in time-course pro®les of serum amylase and fasting blood glucose between the cyanide-fed group and control. Pancreatic islet and heart histologies showed no pathological changes, and there were no signi®cant dierences in both serum and heart aspartate transaminase activities between the two groups. However, there were signi®cant decreases (P<0.01) in alkaline phosphatase activity in the lungs of the cyanide-fed group, with corresponding signi®cant (P<0.05) increases in the serum activity of the enzyme. Histological examination of lung tissue of the cyanide-treated rabbits revealed focal areas of pulmonary oedema and necrosis. These results suggest the existence of variabilities in tissue susceptibilities to the toxic eect of chronic cyanide exposure. It would appear that chronic cyanide exposure may not predispose to diabetes in the presence of adequate protein intake. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Abbreviations: AST=aspartate transaminase; KCN=potassium cyanide. 0278-6915/00/$ -see front matter # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain P I I S 0 2 7 8 -6 9 1 5 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 2 0 -X Food and Chemical Toxicology 38 www.elsevier.com/locate/foodchemtox
Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine, 1998
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract Annona muricata (... more This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract Annona muricata (soursop) on N,N-dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Four groups of Wistar albino rats (12 rats/group) were used for the study. One group received intra-peritoneal injection of 10mg of DMN/kg body wt. thrice a week (on the first three days) for 14 days, in addition to the extract at a dose of 200mg/kg body wt. given by gavage. A second group received the same dose of DMN but without extract, while rats in the third group were administered the same dose of extract without DMN. Members of the fourth group were given physiological saline (vehicle), and served as controls. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed by cardiac puncture. Blood samples were collected from the ocular vein, and the sera were analysed for aspartate transaminase, AST; alanine transaminase, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, ALP; while collagen, malondialdehyde, MDA; reduced glutathione, GSH, superoxide...
Malondialdehyde levels of frozen fish, chicken and turkey on sale in Benin City markets
African Journal of Biotechnology, 2005
Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were anal... more Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and the values were compared. Three of the bottled samples contained toxic levels of either Pb or Cd or both. Neither metal was detected in fresh palm wine. Zn, Cr and Ni were 2 to 15 times higher while Cu was 2 to 5 times lower in bottled samples than values for fresh sample. The likelihood of water- derived heavy metal contamination during bottling, and its potential health implication for consumers are discussed. Key words: Palm wine, bottling, mineral elements African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 829-832
Metallic nanoparticles serve as vehicles for delivery of bioactive molecules from plants having d... more Metallic nanoparticles serve as vehicles for delivery of bioactive molecules from plants having distinct advantages over crude extract, which includes enhanced solubility, bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Annona muricata leaf aqueous extract acted as the reducing and stabilizing agents with aurochlorohydric acid as the substrate. In the characterization studies of the biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles (A*AuNP), UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine the surface plasma resonance vibration, X Ray Diffractometry was used to determine the structure and FT-IR spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups present. Male Wister rats were administered doses of 100 or 200mg A*AuNPs/kg body weight and also 100mg/kg body weight of crude extract, AMAE and gold nanoparticles standard, S*AuNPs. The effects of the treatments on hematological parameters were determined in the plasma using standard techniques. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility was determined spectrophotometr...
Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2002
Food Chemistry, 1989
The cyanide contents of seeds of varieties of Phaseolus aureus, Vigna unguculata, Cajanus cajan a... more The cyanide contents of seeds of varieties of Phaseolus aureus, Vigna unguculata, Cajanus cajan and Canavalia gladiatus were studied. Results obtained show total cyanide contents of 381-1093, 285-1223, and 208-953 mg kg-1 dry weight of intact seed, testa and cotyledons, respectively, with testa having 3-5 times higher HCN than cotyledons in some cases. Soaking of seeds in water for 24 h led to appreciable losses in HCN, while boiling for 3 h caused drastic reduction (49-95%) in HCN. After boiling for 3 h, innocuous HCN levels were obtained with seeds previously soaked in water for 24 h and divested of testa. Thus soaking of bean seeds in water and subsequent removal of testa prior to boiling will decrease HCN in bean meals.
International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review
The effect of Annona muricata methanol leaf extract (AMELE) on colon antioxidant status and keton... more The effect of Annona muricata methanol leaf extract (AMELE) on colon antioxidant status and ketone bodies in blood and urine of cycas treated rats was investigated. Seventy male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into seven groups of ten experimental animals in a study that lasted for twenty-eight days. After 28 days, using standard methods, serum and urinary ketone bodies were assayed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidants enzymes in the colon and histopathological analysis were assayed. The results showed ketogenic diet had significant (p<0.05) increase in serum and urinary ketone body levels compared to other groups on normal feed. Annona muricata extract enhanced cellular consumption and uptake of ketone bodies whereas cycas reduced cellular consumption of ketone bodies. Annona muricata given either with ketogenic diet or cycas or with both ketogenic diet and cycas led to higher tissue levels of antioxidant enzymes. Tissue MDA levels were significantly (p<0.05) increa...
The aim of this study is to review a procarcinogen, the N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), liver and ... more The aim of this study is to review a procarcinogen, the N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), liver and kidney functional enzymes (in assessing action of toxicants such as NDMA) as well as oxidative stress parameters (in assessing the extent of free radical damage and scavenging). Catalase and hydro peroxidase enzymes convert hydrogen peroxide and hydro peroxides to non-radical forms and functions as natural antioxidant in human body. Enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) and compounds such as tocopherol and ascorbic acid can protect organisms against free radical damage. Lipid peroxidation is a mechanism generally recognized as being the most important in the pathogenesis of liver injury by a number of toxic compounds including NDMA.
Journal of Pharmaceutical & Scientific Innovation, 2015
Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with sever... more Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects, not much is known about the toxic effect of the herb. This study was designed to assess the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant on some vital organ functions in rabbits. Three groups of rabbits (six rabbits/groups) were used. Two groups received either 10 mg or 20 mg of aqueous extract/kg body weight for 18 days via oro-gastric route. Members of the third group received saline and served as controls. On the 18 th day, the rabbits were sacrificed following an overnight fast and blood samples were collected via the ear veins in heparinised bottles for plasma preparation. The kidney, liver and pancreas were quickly dissected out and weighed portions were used in preparation of tissue homogenates for biochemical analysis. Using standard procedures, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), electrolytes (Na + , K + and Cl -), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total proteins and albumin were assayed either in tissues or in plasma or both. The results obtained showed that the extract significantly and dose-dependently decreased plasma Na + , urea and creatinine, while plasma Cland K + were significantly elevated relative to control (P < 0.05). The extract also significantly increased fasting blood glucose and plasma amylase (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pancreatic protein and pancreatic amylase were significantly decreased. The plasma levels of GGT, AST and ALP were significantly higher in the extract-treated rabbits, while the activities of the enzymes were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05). ALT did not follow a definite pattern, initially significantly decreasing in plasma and then increasing at the higher extract dose, while the activity of the enzyme significantly increased dose-dependently in the liver (P < 0.05). The extract significantly decreased liver and kidney total protein as well as plasma total protein and plasma albumin (P < 0.05). These results suggest that E. heterophylla may have toxic effects on vital organs and may provide a basis for rationalizing the adverse health effects frequently associated with the use of this herbal laxative.
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology, 1994
The effect of oral KCN administration on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activ... more The effect of oral KCN administration on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities was studied in some rabbit tissues. Generally, the order of activity of the enzymes was kidney > liver > ileum > colon. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the activities of all the ATPases in the tissues of KCN-treated rabbits relative to controls. The decreases in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were most pronounced in liver and kidney. The decreases in ATPases suggest impairment of membrane function as a result of the toxic effect of cyanide.
Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2005
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 2011
Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2007
We have investigated how the endothelium affects vascular responses following sub-chronic low dos... more We have investigated how the endothelium affects vascular responses following sub-chronic low dose cyanide administration. Cyanide exists in low levels in cassava foods, which are widely consumed in tropical Africa. Adult rabbits were administered 0.38 mg/kg per day KCN po for 25 days, and responses of the isolated aortic rings to noradrenaline (NA), calcium chloride (Ca2+) and acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in vitro in the presence and absence of the endothelium. In order to establish that the dose was not toxic, animal weight, some haematological indices, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Results show that endothelium denudation significantly (P <0.05) attenuates NA-induced contraction in rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. There was a similar reduction in response in Ca2+-depleted NA-precontracted endothelium-denuded aortic rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. Endothelium-denuded rings from cyanide-treated rabbits show...
Food Chemistry, 1993
Analysis of the seeds of Dacryodes edulis showed it to contain 76 g kg ~ carbohydrates, 338 g kg ... more Analysis of the seeds of Dacryodes edulis showed it to contain 76 g kg ~ carbohydrates, 338 g kg -I proteins, 110 g kg -I fixed oil, 126 g kg -1 ash, 273 g kg l crude fibre and appreciable amounts of K, Ca, Na, Mg and P. The amino acid profile showed it to be rich in the essential amino acids lysine, phenylalanine, leucine and isoleucine. The oil had the following fatty acids: palmitic (61.9%), oleic (18.3%) and linoleic (19.0%). Preliminary studies did not reveal the presence of toxic principles.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1999
The effect of prolonged chronic cyanide exposure on liver and kidney integrity, as well as some a... more The effect of prolonged chronic cyanide exposure on liver and kidney integrity, as well as some associated enzyme and metabolite changes, were investigated in New Zealand white rabbits (initial mean weight 1.52 kg) using a combination of colorimetric, spectrophotometric, enzymatic, gravimetric and histological procedures. Two groups of rabbits were fed for 40 weeks on either pure growers' mash or growers' mash containing 702 ppm inorganic cyanide. Results obtained indicate that the cyanide-fed rabbits had significantly decreased liver activities of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase relative to controls (P<0.05). On the other hand, there were significant increases (P<0.05) in the serum activities of these enzymes in the cyanide-treated group. Kidney alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while serum urea and creatinine were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the cyanide group relative to controls. The cyanide treatment led to significant increases in both tissue and serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, liver and kidney rhodanese activities were significantly raised in the cyanide-fed group. There were marked degenerative changes in the liver and kidney sections from the cyanide-treated rabbits. These results suggest that chronic cyanide exposure may be deleterious to liver and kidney functions.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1999
Bean pastes from the black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Ife brow... more Bean pastes from the black eyed bean (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Ife brown (V. unguiculata) were processed into a popular West African snack moi-moi, cooked in open aluminium cups and in sealed, thin, transparent cellophane bags. The residual total, free and bound cyanide levels of moi-moi from both processes were determined using a combination of enzymatic and colorimetric procedures. Results showed that in all cases, cooking of moi-moi in open aluminium cups caused retention of significantly higher (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) residual free cyanide than cooking in sealed cellophane bags. Loss of bound cyanide was unaffected by cooking procedure. These results suggest that cooking of moi-moi in cellophane bags reduces the risks of cyanide exposure from legumes.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2000
AbstractÐThe histotoxic eects of chronic cyanide insult on heart, lung and pancreatic tissues, an... more AbstractÐThe histotoxic eects of chronic cyanide insult on heart, lung and pancreatic tissues, and some corroborative enzyme and metabolite changes were studied in New Zealand White rabbits using colorimetric, enzymatic and histochemical methods. Two groups of rabbits were fed for 10 months on either pure growers mash or grower mash +702 ppm inorganic cyanide. There were no signi®cant dierences in time-course pro®les of serum amylase and fasting blood glucose between the cyanide-fed group and control. Pancreatic islet and heart histologies showed no pathological changes, and there were no signi®cant dierences in both serum and heart aspartate transaminase activities between the two groups. However, there were signi®cant decreases (P<0.01) in alkaline phosphatase activity in the lungs of the cyanide-fed group, with corresponding signi®cant (P<0.05) increases in the serum activity of the enzyme. Histological examination of lung tissue of the cyanide-treated rabbits revealed focal areas of pulmonary oedema and necrosis. These results suggest the existence of variabilities in tissue susceptibilities to the toxic eect of chronic cyanide exposure. It would appear that chronic cyanide exposure may not predispose to diabetes in the presence of adequate protein intake. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Abbreviations: AST=aspartate transaminase; KCN=potassium cyanide. 0278-6915/00/$ -see front matter # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain P I I S 0 2 7 8 -6 9 1 5 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 2 0 -X Food and Chemical Toxicology 38 www.elsevier.com/locate/foodchemtox