Diosgenin alleviates alcohol-mediated escalation of social defeat stress and the neurobiological sequalae

RATIONALE

Emerging evidence indicates that persistent alcohol consumption escalates psychosocial trauma achieved by social defeat stress (SDS)-induced neurobiological changes and behavioral outcomes. Treatment with compounds with neuroprotective functions is believed to reverse ethanol (EtOH)-aggravated SDS-induced behavioral impairments.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the outcomes of diosgenin treatment, a phytosteroidal sapogenin in mice co-exposed to repeated SDS and EtOH administration.

METHODS

During a period of 14 days, SDS male mice were repeatedly administered EtOH (20%, 10 mL/kg) orally from days 8-14 (n = 9). Within days 1-14, SDS mice fed with EtOH were simultaneously treated with diosgenin (25 and 50 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) by oral gavage. Locomotor, cognitive-, depressive-, and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed. Adrenal weight, serum glucose, and corticosterone levels were assayed. Brain markers of oxido-inflammatory, neurochemical levels, monoamine oxidase-B, and acetylcholinesterase activities were measured in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus.

RESULTS

The anxiety-like behavior, depression, low stress resilience, social, and spatial/non-spatial memory decline exhibited by SDS mice exposed to repeated EtOH administration were alleviated by diosgenin (25 and 50 mg/kg) and fluoxetine, illustrated by increased dopamine and serotonin concentrations and reduced monoamine oxidase-B and acetylcholinesterase activities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Diosgenin attenuated SDS + EtOH interaction induced corticosterone release and adrenal hypertrophy, accompanied by reduced TNF-α, IL-6, malondialdehyde, and nitrite levels in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. Diosgenin increased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in SDS + EtOH-exposed mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that diosgenin reverses SDS + EtOH interaction-induced behavioral changes via normalization of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurochemical neurotransmissions, and inhibition of oxidative and inflammatory mediators in mice brains.

A STUDY OF SOME MORPHOGENETIC TRAITS AMONG THE ESAN ETHNIC GROUP OF NIGERIA

BACKGROUND

Genetic variability is a common feature of many organisms. The existence of genetic variation in man is caused by many factors along with selection, migration, gene flow and genetic drift. Human genetics are known as hereditary traits, these hereditary traits include the dominant and recessive traits in humans. Most of the genes are transmitted in the Mendelian pattern and a few are transmitted through the non-Mendelian pattern.

OBJECTIVE

To show variation pattern in earlobe attachment, hair line distribution and presence or absence of cheek dimples and to determine prevalence of these traits among the Esan ethnic group of Southern Nigeria.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SETTING

The target populations for this study are the Esan ethnic group of Southern Nigeria. Esan land is bordered to the south by Benin City, to the east by Agbor City, to the north by Etsako and to the west by River Niger.

SUBJECT

A simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 volunteered subjects (176 males, 224 females). They were between the ages of 17-60. Their parents and grandparents were from Esan backgrounds. Data on cheek dimple (present or absent), widow's peak or straight hairline and earlobe attachment was gathered.

RESULT

Results showed 12.5% of Males and 21.3% of females had cheek dimples while 31.5% of males and 34.7% of female had no dimple. 29.0% Males and 40.0% females had unattached earlobe while 15.0% Males and 16.0% females had their earlobes attached. Results for widow's peak showed 14.7% males and 16.5% females had widow's peak while 29.3% males and females 39.5% didn't have a peak. The chi-squared analysis of variance showed that there is a no significant difference between gender for earlobe attachment, hair line variation and cheek dimple (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that these traits varies in the population but do not vary with gender.

ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDY OF ISCHIOPUBIC INDEX OF THE ISOKO AND BENIN IN NIGERIA

BACKGROUND

The ischiopubic index is calculated by dividing the pubic length by the ischial length and multiplying by 100. It has been said to be one of the parameters affecting the pelvic inlet and this is of interest to obstetricians and anatomic anthropologists.

OBJECTIVES

To determine and compare the pubic length, ischial length andischiopubic index among the males and females of Isoko and Bini ethnic groups of Nigeria.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross sectional study.

SETTING

University of Benin teaching hospital (UBTH), Irrua Specialist teaching hospital (ISTH) and Eku Baptist Hospital.

SUBJECTS

Four hundred antero-posterior radiographs; two hundred for the Isoko (males 105 and females 95) and two hundred also for the Bini (males 110 and females 90) adult pelvis in the age range of 18 - 65 years were evaluated.

RESULTS

Pubic length, ischial length, and ischiopubic index were measured. The mean pubic length, mean ischial length and mean ischiopubic index of Isoko males are respectively (mm) 78.42 ± 3.40, 69.41 ± 5.10, 75.2-97.5, 87.52 ± 1.30. The range and point of demarcation are (mm): 75.2-97.5, < 86.22. For Isoko females, the mean pubic length, mean ischial length and mean ischiopubic index are (mm): 81.20 ± 5.0, 74.30 ± 6.10, 106.21 ± 9.10. The range and demarcation point are (mm): 87-125.10, < 97.11. The mean pubic length, mean ischial length and mean ischiopubic index of Bini males are respectively (mm): 74.32 ± 5.40, 82.71 ± 7.20, 88.72 ± 2.40. The range and point of demarcation are (mm) 70-98,< 86.32. For Bini females they are (mm); 86.48 ± 4.20, 78.61± 7.41, 112.21 ± 7.71. The range and point of demarcation are (mm): 84.1-132.50, < 104.50 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study showed sexual dimorphism in the ischipubic index of the study population and a significant difference in actual mean values and demarking points between the two population groups studied. This contributes growing database of anthropologically and obstetrically significant data for ethnic groups in Nigeria and could help in identification of skeletal remains in the hitherto restive Nigerian Niger-Delta region.