Elijah C Odii | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (original) (raw)

Papers by Elijah C Odii

The hepato-and nephro-protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic root extract was eva... more The hepato-and nephro-protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic root extract was evaluated for 14 days using standard bioassay in 45 normal male albino rats. The rats were divided into four treatment groups I – IV and a control group V. Groups I – IV were given 100mg.kg-1 , 200mg.kg-1, 400mg.kg-1 and 600mg.kg-1 body weight, respectively while the control (group V) was given equal volume of feed and water. The extracts were administered orally to the animals for 14 days. Blood samples were collected using the ocular puncture method before and weekly after administration to evaluate the extracts' effects on aspartate transaminase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The mean serum levels of the liver marker enzymes AST, ACP, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin ranged from 10.00±0.53 to 11.44±0.44, 31.29±0.64 to 33.14±0.56, 27.22±0.94 to 29.67±0.37 and 37.83±0.59 to 40.57±1.02, 3.42±0.08 to 3.61±0.07 and 2.06±0.11 to 2.51±0.05 respectively. The mean levels of the nephrotic enzymes, creatinine and BUN also ranged from 39.87±1.79 to 43.04±1.57 and 6.62±0.21 to 15.98±0.17 accordingly. Although no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the serum levels of the liver marker enzymes and creatinine when compared with the control, a dose and duration dependent significant increase (p<0.05) occurred in the BUN level. This tends to suggest that the ethanolic root extract of Vernonia amygdalina on a short term basis has some hepato-protective property while its nephro-protective ability is still doubtful.

A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2012 and February 2013 to assess ... more A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2012 and February 2013 to assess anaemia prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women attending three antenatal clinics in malaria endemic southwestern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined using the Haemocue haemaglobinometer detecting system for 660 of the 702 eligible women, while their obstetrics and socioeconomic information were obtained using close-ended structured questionnaire. Mean age of the participants was 24.9 ± 6.1 years (range, 18 – 47 years); mean number of previous pregnancies was 4.7 ± 1.2 per woman (range, 1 – 12). Overall prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy (Hb ≤ 11 g per decilitre) was 60.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58-62). Prevalence of mild (10 g /dl ≤ Hb < 11 g /dl), moderate (7 g /dl ≤ Hb < 9 g/dl), and severe (Hb < 7 g /dl) anaemia was 56.8%, 37.9% and 5.3% respectively. Over 90% of the total anaemic women had Hb levels below the benchmark for pregnant women (11 g /dl). Multivariate analysis showed that anaemia in pregnancy was significantly and independently associated with low socioeconomic status, advanced age of gestation and increasing number of previous pregnancies. The result is discussed in relation to the need for increased awareness campaign of the associated predisposing factors of anaemia in pregnancy at the antenatal clinics levels.

World Journal of Medical Sciences

The effects of four weeks administration of the methanolic seed extract of Cola acuminata on the ... more The effects of four weeks administration of the methanolic seed extract of Cola acuminata on the haematology and serum cortisol profiles of adult male albino rats were investigated. Dose dependent significant effects of the extract were recorded in the white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume (p<0.05). While the effects on the red blood cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation were not significantly different (p>0.05). Significant increases were recorded in the serum cortisol concentration of the rats administered methanolic seed extract of C. acuminata (p>0.05) as compared to the control.

The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology, 2014

The survival of land snails in an adverse environmental condition depends on the integral physiol... more The survival of land snails in an adverse environmental condition depends on the integral physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations. These adaptations are essential in understanding the species-specific habitat requirements and in predicting their environmental responses. In this study, the monthly and the periodic patterns of eco-physiological adaptation of land snail, Achatina achatina in Nsukka tropical agro-ecosystem were assessed from December 2012 to July 2013. Standard methods were employed in sampling the land snail and determination of the water content, biochemical fuel reserves and enzyme concentrations of the samples. The present results showed that lipids were high at the beginning of aestivation and depleted as the aestivation progressed. Glycogen was significantly low throughout the aestivation months (December-March) and increased in the active months (April-July). Protein content recorded a definite pattern all through the months studied. Catabolism of lactate and a decrease in activity of LDH during aestivation and substantial increase upon activation were observed. Data showed that transaminase and aspartate enzymes depleted during the aestivation months indicating that the snails may have developed potential cell injury due to oxidative stress and thermal heat. A disassociation between the physiological responses and climatic data was recorded. The physiological adaptation of A. achatina ensures regular adjustment under extreme conditions and compensates for its metabolic regulation in the tropics. It is concluded that survival of A. achatina is not environmentally

The hepato-and nephro-protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic root extract was eva... more The hepato-and nephro-protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic root extract was evaluated for 14 days using standard bioassay in 45 normal male albino rats. The rats were divided into four treatment groups I – IV and a control group V. Groups I – IV were given 100mg.kg-1 , 200mg.kg-1, 400mg.kg-1 and 600mg.kg-1 body weight, respectively while the control (group V) was given equal volume of feed and water. The extracts were administered orally to the animals for 14 days. Blood samples were collected using the ocular puncture method before and weekly after administration to evaluate the extracts' effects on aspartate transaminase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The mean serum levels of the liver marker enzymes AST, ACP, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin ranged from 10.00±0.53 to 11.44±0.44, 31.29±0.64 to 33.14±0.56, 27.22±0.94 to 29.67±0.37 and 37.83±0.59 to 40.57±1.02, 3.42±0.08 to 3.61±0.07 and 2.06±0.11 to 2.51±0.05 respectively. The mean levels of the nephrotic enzymes, creatinine and BUN also ranged from 39.87±1.79 to 43.04±1.57 and 6.62±0.21 to 15.98±0.17 accordingly. Although no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the serum levels of the liver marker enzymes and creatinine when compared with the control, a dose and duration dependent significant increase (p<0.05) occurred in the BUN level. This tends to suggest that the ethanolic root extract of Vernonia amygdalina on a short term basis has some hepato-protective property while its nephro-protective ability is still doubtful.

A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2012 and February 2013 to assess ... more A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2012 and February 2013 to assess anaemia prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women attending three antenatal clinics in malaria endemic southwestern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined using the Haemocue haemaglobinometer detecting system for 660 of the 702 eligible women, while their obstetrics and socioeconomic information were obtained using close-ended structured questionnaire. Mean age of the participants was 24.9 ± 6.1 years (range, 18 – 47 years); mean number of previous pregnancies was 4.7 ± 1.2 per woman (range, 1 – 12). Overall prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy (Hb ≤ 11 g per decilitre) was 60.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58-62). Prevalence of mild (10 g /dl ≤ Hb < 11 g /dl), moderate (7 g /dl ≤ Hb < 9 g/dl), and severe (Hb < 7 g /dl) anaemia was 56.8%, 37.9% and 5.3% respectively. Over 90% of the total anaemic women had Hb levels below the benchmark for pregnant women (11 g /dl). Multivariate analysis showed that anaemia in pregnancy was significantly and independently associated with low socioeconomic status, advanced age of gestation and increasing number of previous pregnancies. The result is discussed in relation to the need for increased awareness campaign of the associated predisposing factors of anaemia in pregnancy at the antenatal clinics levels.

World Journal of Medical Sciences

The effects of four weeks administration of the methanolic seed extract of Cola acuminata on the ... more The effects of four weeks administration of the methanolic seed extract of Cola acuminata on the haematology and serum cortisol profiles of adult male albino rats were investigated. Dose dependent significant effects of the extract were recorded in the white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume (p<0.05). While the effects on the red blood cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation were not significantly different (p>0.05). Significant increases were recorded in the serum cortisol concentration of the rats administered methanolic seed extract of C. acuminata (p>0.05) as compared to the control.

The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology, 2014

The survival of land snails in an adverse environmental condition depends on the integral physiol... more The survival of land snails in an adverse environmental condition depends on the integral physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations. These adaptations are essential in understanding the species-specific habitat requirements and in predicting their environmental responses. In this study, the monthly and the periodic patterns of eco-physiological adaptation of land snail, Achatina achatina in Nsukka tropical agro-ecosystem were assessed from December 2012 to July 2013. Standard methods were employed in sampling the land snail and determination of the water content, biochemical fuel reserves and enzyme concentrations of the samples. The present results showed that lipids were high at the beginning of aestivation and depleted as the aestivation progressed. Glycogen was significantly low throughout the aestivation months (December-March) and increased in the active months (April-July). Protein content recorded a definite pattern all through the months studied. Catabolism of lactate and a decrease in activity of LDH during aestivation and substantial increase upon activation were observed. Data showed that transaminase and aspartate enzymes depleted during the aestivation months indicating that the snails may have developed potential cell injury due to oxidative stress and thermal heat. A disassociation between the physiological responses and climatic data was recorded. The physiological adaptation of A. achatina ensures regular adjustment under extreme conditions and compensates for its metabolic regulation in the tropics. It is concluded that survival of A. achatina is not environmentally