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The purpose of this study was to examined the health effects of raw and cooked aqueous and methanol extracts of Vigna unguiculata on kidney function in Wistar rats.

Thirty-six Wistar rats (weighing 160 ± 10 g) were randomly assigned into nine (9) groups (n = 4). Group I (control): no extract. Groups II and III (aqueous extract of the cooked 350 mg/kg and 550 mg/kg). Groups IV and V (methanol extracts of cooked 350 mg/kg and 550 mg/kg). Groups VI and VII (methanol extracts of raw 350 mg/kg and 550 mg/kg). Groups VIII and IX (aqueous extract of raw 350 mg/kg and 550 mg/kg). After the seventh day of the trial, the rats were euthanized with chloroform, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

Results showed that the doses applied for cooked and raw V. unguiculata significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced kidney functions by increasing the body weight, glucose level, concentration of serum urea, creatinine, total protein, potassium and chloride in test groups compared with control. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations of raw aqueous extract at 550 mg/kg (36.5 ± 5.1; 12.3 ± 2.8) were significantly (p = 0.001) higher (29.8 ± 11.8; 10.3 ± 3.9) than the 350 mg/kg dose of the same extract, and cooked aqueous extract at 350 mg/kg dose was significantly (p = 0.001) higher (28.0 ± 10.1; 9.3 ± 3.4) than that of 550 mg/kg (25.8 ± 4.9; 8.8 ± 3.9) dose of the extracts.

The nutritional content of V. unguiculata potentially can augment the nutritional content of a diet and to a large extent, the regular consumers’ health. Essentially, V. unguiculata is composed of both macro and micronutrients capable of promoting normal kidney function.

Herbal medicine has been used for the management of complications of diabetes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the anti-diabetic effects of Achillea millefolium extract on diabetic rats.

To this aim, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups in which each group comprised eight rats. The four experimental groups were as follows: control group, diabetic control (DC) group (STZ; 50 mg/kg), diabetic rats, receiving 250 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract of the A. millefolium (DAM) and diabetic rats, receiving 5 mg/kg glibenclamide (DG). After 21 days of the treatment course, tissues of the kidney and blood samples were collected for histopathological, biochemical and molecular analysis.

The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glucose serum were markedly reduced in the DC group while significantly increased in DG and DAM groups (1.11 ± 0.57 to 19.4 ± 3.5 and 17.8 ± 1.2 p = 0.002 and 325 ± 0.18 to 223 ± 0.11 and 211 ± 0.32 p = 0.02, respectively). Also, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were markedly reduced in the DC group while significantly increased in DAM and DG groups (9.1 ± 2.21 to 18.7 ± 3.81 and 14.9 ± 3.1 p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The concentrations of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urea were substantially decreased in DAM and DG groups as compared with the DC group (0.49 ± 0.02 to 0.27 ± 0.01 and 0.25 ± 0.01 p = 0.01, 15.6 ± 2.1 to 7.2 ± 0.68 and 8.6 ± 1.2 p = 0.02 and 114 ± 9.4 to 59.8 ± 5.2 and 64 ± 5.2 p = 0.03, respectively). Also, Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) expression was significantly decreased in DAM and DG groups as compared with the DC group (1.3 ± 0.32 to 0.91 ± 0.03 and 0.93 ± 0.02 p = <0.01) and Bcl-2 expression were significantly increased in DAM and DG groups as compared with the DC group (0.42 ± 0.05 to 0.88 ± 0.07 and 0.85 ± 0.06 p = 0.01).

Diabetes led to degenerative damages in the kidney of rats and increased the mRNA level of Bax, while treatment with A. millefolium could protect the kidney tissue against diabetes complications and increased the mRNA expression of Bcl-2. This study indicated that A. millefolium extracts not only improves renal function as a result of anti-oxidant activity but also modulates some biochemical factors in diabetic rats.

Recent studies have shown that hyperuricemia is a predictor of non-communicable disease and an increment of mortality rate. Also, elevated serum uric acid may be associated with obesity in the adult population. This study aims to evaluate the association between serum uric acid levels with metabolic parameters and risk of obesity in the Iranian population.

The cross-sectional study was done on 550 participants, who were referred to a hospital for elective angiography in Rasht, Iran; anthropometric indices (waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI)) and hematological factors were measured using the standard approaches. Based to the angiography results, the severity of atherosclerosis was defined.

The mean (SD) concentration of serum uric acid for all participants was 5.15 (1.37) mg/dl. Individuals who were at the highest tertile had higher mean (SD) of weight (p = 0.004), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001) lower fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p = 0.000) and HbA1c (p = 0.016), and they were mostly men compared with those in the lowest tertile. After adjusting for confounders, FBS (ß = –0.145, p = 0.001) and HbA1c (%) (ß = –0.130, p = 0.019) had inverse and weight (ß = 0.156, p = 0.001) had direct association with serum uric acid. After adjustment for additionally potential confounders subjects in the highest tertile of serum uric acid had 92 per cent higher chance of obesity compared with subjects in the lowest tertile (OR 1.92; 95 per cent CI 1.13, 3.23).

The present study has concluded that increase serum uric acid related to high risk of obesity and low mean of FBS and HbA1c.

Recent research has suggested the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on kidney function; however, differences in these benefits have not been well-documented with respect to different omega-3 fatty acid sources. Hence, the purpose of this study is to compare the effects of plants, marine sources of omega-3 fatty acids and their combination on biomarkers of renal function in overweight and obese individuals.

Ninety-nine overweight and obese women from a weight loss clinic received three weight-reducing diets with fish (300 g/week), walnuts (18 walnuts/week) or fish + walnuts (150 g fish + 9 walnuts/week) for 12 weeks. Serum biomarkers of renal function were measured at the beginning and the end of the intervention.

After 12 weeks, a reduction in serum creatinine was statistically higher for both the fish + walnut (−0.16 ± 0.09 mg/dL, p = 0.001) and walnut (−0.15 ± 0.05 mg/dL, p = 0.001) diets compared with the fish diet (−0.05 ± 0.04 mg/dL). A significant decrease was seen in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level in the fish + walnut group (−0.12 ± 0.05 mg/dL, p = 0.03) and walnut group (−0.10 ± 0.04 mg/dL, p = 0.03) compared to the fish group (−0.05 ± 0.03 mg/dL). The effect of serum creatinine and BUN in the fish + walnut diet group was relatively higher than in the walnut diet group. Also, a significant difference was observed regarding weight loss in the fish + walnut diet (−7.2 ± 0.9 kg, p = 0.03) compared to in the other groups. The change in other indices was not different among the three diets.

This study found synergistic benefits of the plant and marine omega-3 fatty acids in reducing serum creatinine, BUN and weight compared with isolated marine omega-3s in overweight and obese women.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of green tea extract on kidney function tests, in male rats that received different doses of acrylamide (AA).

Animals were dispensed at random to one of the following treatments: group 1 served as control, whereas groups 2, 3 received seven, 14 mg/100 g B.W/day of AA, respectively, in drinking water for 15 and 30 days. Group 4 received green tea 1.5 percent concentration and groups 5, 6 received seven, 14 mg/100 g B.W/day in a mixture with green tea for 15 and 30 days.

Serum urea and creatinine significantly increase with AA. However, Total protein, albumin and A/G ratio showed significant drop in all treated groups when compared with control. Supplementation of rats with antioxidant (green tea) enhanced the general health condition, reduced the severity of genotoxic effect and the alteration in blood and serum parameters produced by AA.

The authors suggest that green tea may deliver a cushion for long therapeutic option against toxins-induced nephrotoxicity without damaging side effects.

The study uses green tea as a natural antioxidant source. Epigallocatechin-3 gallate is the most plentiful catechin preserved in green tea and a high source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of phenolic products of plant metabolism with high antioxidant properties to reduce nephrotoxicity without side effects.

This paper aims to study the effect of green lemon zest combined with sardine proteins in diabetic hypertensive rats (DHRs).

Male Wistar rats (n = 30) weighing 250 ± 10 g were divided into five groups. The first group consumed a diet containing 20 per cent casein (C). The other four groups are rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight), then hypertensive by subcutaneous implantation controlled time-release pellet containing ouabain (0.25 mg/pellet). One untreated group (DHR) consumed 20 per cent casein and the three other groups consumed the same diet supplemented with 2 per cent green lemon zest (DHR-lz), or with 20 per cent of sardine protein (group DHR-sp) or with the combination of both sardine proteins and green lemon zest (group DHR-sp + lz).

DHRs feeding on the combination of both sardine protein (sp) and lemon zest (lz) induced a significant decrease of diastolic blood pressure and heart rates values compared with DHR (p < 0.05). The HDLC values were increased by +55 per cent in DHR-sp + lz compared with DHR group. Moreover, plasma non-HDLC concentrations were decreased significantly compared to DHR, DHR-lz, DHR-sp and C groups. In DHR-sp + lzvs DHR group, TBARS values were decreased by −25 per cent in the liver. Moreover, kidney TBARS were significantly reduced by −66, −51, −65 and −67 per cent compared with C, DHR, DHR-lz and DHR-sp, respectively.

These results suggest that consumption of green lemon zest combined with sardine proteins can reduce blood pressure and tissue oxidative damage and, therefore, help to prevent cardiovascular complications in hypertensive diabetic patients.

Primary care practitioners in the UK today undertake more responsibility for the management of chronic diseases than ever before, including the monitoring of medications initiated in the secondary care setting. This has not necessarily been accompanied by the introduction of guidelines or additional funding. Examining the aminosalicylate group of drugs (sulfasalazine, mesalazine, olsalazine and balsalazide), it was found that despite their potential to cause life‐threatening adverse reactions, there is no agreed protocol on the most appropriate type and frequency of monitoring. A search of the literature confirmed that there is a paucity of evidence from which to construct a guideline. An audit of one family practice suggests current levels fall short of a minimal standard. Based on the current best available evidence, a protocol is suggested for aminosalicylate monitoring. Other groups of drugs warrant similar attention in primary care, and issues regarding funding for the responsibility and cost of monitoring need addressing.

An adequate variety of food necessary to provide a proper nutritional balance has always been a topic of prime concern for social economists. Moral and political concern caused the initiation of a series of studies focusing on the magnitude and causes of undernutrition. This article addresses concerns about some economic and health consequences of undernutrition and discusses some adverse health effects that may be associated with improper food balances. Findings suggest that a high percentage of undernutrition in the USA is concentrated in areas where social and economic deprivation is most prevalent, and shows that a complex of factors in the culture of poverty appear to be linked to undernutrition and non‐organic retardation. Two farm work crews were tested over a year with the objective of gaining more information about their dietary habit and nutritional status. Dietary deficiencies expressed as Bitot Spots (27.7 per cent) Visible Caries or ulceration (21.6 per cent) were found consistently among workers in the study sample population. Using F statistics and controlling for sex, male workers were found to be more adversely affected by dietary deficiencies than female workers.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of probiotic provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (hLGG) on weight and lipid profile of Wistar rats and its glycemic index using Wistar rats and human subjects.

Adult male Wistar rats (n = 40, 120–150 g) were orally administered provitamin A cassava hydrolysate with 1 × 10¹⁰, 2 × 10¹⁰ and 4 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g encapsulated or CFU/mL free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for 30 days, during which weight and lipid profile of rats were monitored. Blood glucose levels of rats and human subjects were also measured in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to determine the Glycemic indices of hLGG.

Rats administered the highest doses of free or encapsulated hLGG [(4 × 10¹⁰ CFU) (PHE4 and PHF4, respectively)] had the lowest (18.2 ± 0.7 and 8.0 ± 0.6%, respectively, p < 0.001) percentage body weight gain compared to control (40 ± 0.6%). Lowest cholesterol and triglyceride (42.4 ± 0.5 and 44.4 ± 0.7 g/dL, p < 0.001, respectively) were observed in rats administered PHE4, with the lowest plasma glucose concentrations in PHE4 and PHF4 groups (43 ± 1 and 49 ± 0.7 g/dL, p < 0.001, respectively). Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for rats and human subjects showed lower peak blood glucose levels and glycemic indices in hLGG groups compared to controls in a dose-dependent manner.

Consumption of soft drinks, which supply non-nutritive energy, may lead to degenerative metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Beverages with probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, on the other hand, offer a positive weight management approach. Development of non-dairy beverages such as provitamin A cassava hLGG is ongoing. Provitamin A cassava hLGG showed its ability to control weight gain, blood glucose levels and serum lipids. Thus, the beverage can be consumed as a healthy alternative to soft drinks and for weight management.

Less lethal weapons have become a critical tool for law enforcement when confronting dangerous, combative individuals in the field. The purpose of this paper is to review the medical aspects and implications of three different types of less lethal weapons.

The paper conducted a comprehensive medical literature review on blunt projectiles, irritant sprays including oleoresin capsicum (OC), and conducted energy devices such as the Taser™. It reviews the history, mechanisms of action, intended and other physiologic effects, and medical safety risks and precautions of these devices. In particular, the paper focuses on the issue of sudden in‐custody death and less lethal weapons, reviewing case reports, animal research and human investigative studies on this topic.

In general, these three different types of less lethal weapons have been effective for their intended use. Each type of less lethal weapon has a number of physiologic effects and specific medical issues that must be considered when the weapon is used. There is no clear evidence that these devices are inherently lethal, nor is there good evidence to suggest a causal link between sudden in‐custody death and the use of irritant sprays or conducted energy devices.

While further research on the physiologic effects of these devices is needed, this paper provides law enforcement with a medical review of less lethal weapons including blunt projectiles, irritant sprays such as OC, and conducted energy devices such as the Taser.