Oxidative stress

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a widely-used submaximal field walking test used to evaluate functional exercise capacity. It assesses the distance an individual can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes and the final distance is recorded in meters. This study was aimed to investigate changes in oxidative stress marker levels in young adult males of different genotypes post functional exercise at the University of Benin. Forty-four (44) healthy young adult males aged 18-29 years were recruited for this study. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant defenses Oxidative stress marker levels were measured pre and post-test. The analysis was done at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism statistical package Version 8.1. The standard error of mean (SEM) was used in tables and graphs to display the results. The dependent and independent variable means were compared using the student t-test. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no significant change in the oxidative stress marker levels relative to genotype.

Arsenic exposure remains a major environmental health concern due to its ability to generate oxidative stress and induce tissue injury, particularly in the liver. This study investigated the protective potential of rutin against sodium arsenite-induced hepatic oxidative damage in Wistar rats. The experiment involved the administration of sodium arsenite to induce oxidative stress,
while rutin was concurrently given at different doses to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Following treatment, liver antioxidant status was assessed through the measurement of key biochemical parameters including reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histopathological examination of liver tissues was also carried out to determine structural alterations associated with arsenite toxicity and the possible protective influence of rutin. The results indicated that exposure to sodium arsenite caused a pronounced decline in endogenous antioxidant defenses, reflected by reduced levels of GSH and decreased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx. These biochemical disruptions were accompanied by noticeable histological abnormalities in hepatic tissue, suggesting oxidative damage and cellular
degeneration. However, rats that received rutin alongside sodium arsenite demonstrated marked improvement in antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels compared with animals treated with arsenite alone. The degree of improvement was more pronounced at higher rutin doses, indicating a dose-dependent protective effect. The findings suggest that rutin exerts significant antioxidant activity capable of counteracting arsenite-induced oxidative stress in the liver. This protective action may be attributed to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and enhance endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms.
onsequently, rutin may serve as a promising natural compound for reducing oxidative damage associated with heavy metal toxicity. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that rutin effectively mitigates sodium arsenate-induced hepatic oxidative injury in Wistar rats by restoring antioxidant balance and improving liver tissue integrity.

Arsenic contamination of the environment poses a significant global health threat, with chronic exposure leading to severe toxicity in vital organs, primarily mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Ruthin, a dietary flavonoid, against sodium arsenate (SA)-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. A total of thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=7): Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Rutin 50 mg/kg), Group 3 (SA 10 mg/kg), Group 4 (SA 10 mg/kg + Rutin 25 mg/kg), and Group 5 (SA 10 mg/kg + Rutin 50 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. Following the treatment period, animals were sacrificed, and liver and kidney tissues were harvested for biochemical analysis. Key markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, including Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS), Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and Nitrite (NO_2^−) levels, were assayed in the tissue homogenates. The results revealed that administration of sodium arsenite alone (Group 3) caused a highly significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of RONS, MPO activity, and Nitrite in both the liver and kidney when compared to the control group, indicating severe oxidative damage and inflammatory infiltration. Conversely, co-administration of Rutin at both 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg (Groups 4 and 5) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated these SA-induced increases. The higher dose of Rutin (50 mg/kg) demonstrated a more pronounced protective effect, restoring the biochemical parameters towards control levels. This study concludes that Rutin possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that effectively ameliorate sodium arsenite-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in Wistar rats, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent against arsenic-induced organ damage

Acanthus montanus, commonly referred to as "beer's breech," "alligator plant," or "mountain thistle," is a potent medicinal plant that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It holds significant importance in ethnomedicine. Throughout Nigeria's history, it has been utilized for managing a diverse array of health issues including wounds, gonorrhea, heart failure, and more. Acanthus montanus is rich in phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit diverse biological and pharmacological properties, encompassing analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunological, anti-fertility, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and hepatocurative activities. This study investigated the reproductive toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus on male and female Wistar rats. Extracts were administered at varying doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg) and 0.5 ml of distilled water as control. The body and organ weights (testes, penis, uterus, ovaries) demonstrated no significant deviations from the control group. Toxicological assessments revealed no adverse impacts on lipid metabolism, as evidenced by lipid profile assays. Hormonal analyses affirmed that the extracts maintained endocrine equilibrium, with hormone levels within normal ranges in all make treated groups, while the female groups exhibited varying level of fluctuations in their hormonal levels. Antioxidant assays disclosed noteworthy antioxidant effects, particularly at the highest dose (800 mg/kg), reflecting the potential of Acanthus montanus extracts to combat free radicals and uphold cellular integrity. Histological evaluation of reproductive organs unveiled no notable structural changes, indicating the extracts' non-induction of tissue damage or morphological aberrations. In conclusion, aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus, across various dosages, exhibited negligible impact on body and organ weights, reflecting safety. Moreover, they displayed antioxidant properties without compromising reproductive health or lipid metabolism. This underlines the promising prospects of Acanthus montanus extracts as natural antioxidants in the realms of reproductive health and oxidative stress management. While these findings are encouraging, further research across diverse animal models and potentially human subjects is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the plant's benefits and mechanisms