DSpace Collection: Thesis - Medical Physiology

EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION BY BIOMASS FUELS ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTIONS IN GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:37:58 GMT

Title: EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION BY BIOMASS FUELS ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTIONS IN GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Authors: TIGIST, KENA

Abstract: Poor households in Ethiopia depend heavily on wood, dung, and other biomass fuels for cooking. Inhalation of pollutants from these fuels may cause deleterious effects on health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to indoor air pollution from the use of biofuels on lung functions and respiratory symptoms in women. The study was conducted at Gondar town (kebele16) 750 kilometers from Addis Ababa between June and August 2010. A total of 285 women (200 biomass fuel users, 85 non users) between ages 18 and 59 years (mean age 29.7±9.14 for biomass users and 30.83±11.07 for controls) were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. All selected subjects were non-smokers and used to cook 3-4 hr/ day regularly. Those who cook in open air without kitchen and smokers were excluded from the study. A closed end respiratory symptom questionnaire was administered by a trained laboratory technician at the house where the study participants were cooking. The questionnaire included history of smoking in the family, type of cooking fuel used, and duration of cooking and respiratory symptoms experienced, frequency of the signs and symptoms, past illness, etc . All Participants' height and weight were measured in light clothing and with their shoes removed. Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a standard meter while weight was measured to the nearest 100 g using Salter scales. Lung function tests (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the one second (FEV1) of each woman were measured by using a Spiro Pro spirometer and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) by Wright peak flow meter. Each subject was instructed to sit and practice with the instrument, to place the mouthpiece in the mouth keeping the nose closed, to make a maximal inspiratory effort, and to blow out with a maximal effort. The test was repeated five times after adequate rest, and results were obtained from the spirometer. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were derived from best spirogram recorded. Three peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) readings were recorded using Wright peak flow meter and the maximum record was used. FEV1% (FVC/FEV1Χ 100) and individual predictive values based on age, sex, body weight, standing height were calculated by using predicted formula. The Carbon monoxide (CO) level used to assess indoor air pollution from biomass fuels was measured in each kitchen while cooking by using digital CO meter Metavico/09 as per instruction on the manual and the effect of this pollution on the women’s respiratory function was analyzed. The prevalence of wheeze (OR=8.11), phlegm (OR=17.1), bronchitis (OR=2.08) and asthma (OR=7.01) were significantly higher in the exposed groups relative to the no-exposure group. The mean measured value of ventilatory capacity FVC (2.20± 0.89 for biomass users and 2.62±0 .89 for controls, p=0.0004); FEV1 (1.67±0 .77 for biomass users and 2.24± 0.82 for controls, p=0.0002) and PEFR (181.45± 72.14 for biomass users and 243.52±98.13 for controls, p=0.0003) were found to be significantly reduced in exposed group compared with controls and predicted values. Mean indoor CO level (238± 40 ppm) were higher than Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure limit (101-200 ppm) and negatively correlated with reduction in the mean lung function parameters. It is concluded that indoor air pollution had deleterious effect on the respiratory function of women. The study recommends that better ventilated houses with windows, separate kitchens be used and that exposure level may be limited by using improved stoves rather than the usual 3-stone-fire stove and that there must be intervention that educates women about behavioral possibilities to reduce the exposure for themselves and their children to cooking fire. VII

The effects of crude extracts and fractions of Alchemilla abyssinica on smooth muscle of Guinea pig ileum

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:44:19 GMT

Title: The effects of crude extracts and fractions of Alchemilla abyssinica on smooth muscle of Guinea pig ileum

Authors: Atkilt, Esaiyas

Abstract: 14 Abstract Alchemilla abyssinica is a plant widely used in traditional medicine. Its wide use among the community plus already established scientific evidences for medicinal values of other Alchemilla species provided good ground for this investigation. In this research, CHCl3/EtOAC 1:1 extract of dried aerial parts of Alchemilla abyssinica, methanolic extract of the CHCl3/EtOAC residue and fractions of the methanolic extract were tested on isolated guinea pig ileum (GPI) for possible presence of spasmogenic (contractile) or spasmolytic (relaxant) effects. Concentrations of each extract and fraction ranging from 20-600 μg/ml final organ bath concentration were tested. The effects of these test samples on the basal rhythmic contractions of the GPI as well as on its contraction elicited using the agonist, histamine, were determined. The antagonist, Papavarine, was also used as a control smooth muscle relaxant. While the CHCl3/EtOAC 1:1 extract showed neither spasmogenic nor spasmolytic result, the methanolic extract showed marked spasmolytic effect. This methanolic extract was fractionated using column chromatography and the fraction eluted using Hexane/EtOAc 1:2 gave greatest spasmolytic result and it was taken as the final test fraction. The final test fraction produced significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent spasmolytic effects on the agonist induced contractions of the GPI to 95.7% at 20 μg/ml, 43.6% at 70 μg/ml and 14.2% at 120 μg/ml in the organ bath. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that Alchemilla abyssinica possesses spasmolytic property. Also, the result of the present oral acute toxicity study showed Alchemilla abyssinica exhibited no toxicity up to doses of 1,000 mg/kg body weight in Swiss albino mice.

A STUDY OF THE CORRELATION OF MIDDLE DISTANC WITH CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTIONS AND SKINFOLD THICKNESS E ATHLETICS PERFORMANCE

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:24:34 GMT

Title: A STUDY OF THE CORRELATION OF MIDDLE DISTANC WITH CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTIONS AND SKINFOLD THICKNESS E ATHLETICS PERFORMANCE

Authors: Kinfu, Hailu

Abstract: Important test components for performance evaluation, including assessment of body composition, maximum aerobic capacity, heart rate and pulmonary function evaluation are worth considering. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of Skinfold thickness and some selected cardiopulmonary parameters in middle distance running performance. Twenty top-class middle distance runners (10 males, with Age = 18-26, Weight = 52-68kg, Height = 165-183cm, BMI (kg/m2) = 17.63-20.90; and 10 females with Age = 18-26, Weight = 41-57kg, Height = 157- 178cm, BMI (kg/m2) = 14.53-19.99) from Ethiopian Athletics Federation volunteered to participate in the study. Skinfolds were measured at biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and supra-iliac regions. Vital capacity (VC), Forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 %, Peak expiratory flow (PEF), Maximum expiratory flow at 25% of maximal VC (MEF25), Maximum expiratory flow at 50% of maximal VC (MEF50), Maximum expiratory flow at 75% of maximal VC (MEF75), Maximum mid expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (MMEF), Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) were measured by Spirometer. The maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max) was determined using a continuous, incremental exercise protocol conducted on an electronically braked treadmill. Cardiotester belt was used to measure heart rate at different level of treadmill testing. Correlation analyses were applied to each variables and run time (performance). Performance was rated by the scoring procedures of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). In male athletes, significant negative correlations were observed between skinfold measurement at sub-scapular (r = 0.676, and P = 0.046), and supra-iliac (r = 0.798, P = 0.01) and IAAF score. High negative correlation were found between sum of four skinfold measures and IAAF score (r = 0.800, P = 0.010). In the female athletes, high negative correlations were found between skinfolds measurement at sub-scapular (r = -0.639, P = 0.047), supra-iliac (r = -0.751, P = 0.012), sum of four skinfolds measurement (r = -0.778, P = 0.008), body fat percentage (r = -0.840, P = 0.002) and IAAF score. There was a negative significant correlation between IAAF score and Percent Sub Maximum Heart Rate (%HRmax) at 0.01 level of significance (r = -0.843 in female and r = -0.865 in male) runners. VO2max (measured as ml/min/kg) was positively correlated with IAAF score in male and female runners (r = 0.805, P = 0.003) (r = 0.859, P = 0.001). IAAF score was positively correlated (p<0.05) in the male athletes with the following variables: VC (r = 0.65), FVC (r = 0.70), and FEV1 (r = 0.63). In female athletes IAAF score was also positively correlated with VC (r = 0.66), FVC (r = 0.85) and FEV1 (r = 0.80). Results of this study suggested that lower skinfold thicknesses and sub maximal heart rate were correlated with faster race time; higher lung volume and VO2max are associated with faster run time.

GASTROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CRUDE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF ETHIOPIAN PROPOLIS AGAINST CHEMICAL INDUCED GASTRIC MUCOSAL LESIONS IN MICE

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:55:28 GMT

Title: GASTROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CRUDE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF ETHIOPIAN PROPOLIS AGAINST CHEMICAL INDUCED GASTRIC MUCOSAL LESIONS IN MICE

Authors: DUBERO SIME

Abstract: Gastric hyperacidity and peptic ulcer are very common causes of human suffering in this era of globalization. Treatment of peptic ulcer is targeted at either counteracting aggressive factors or stimulating the mucosal defenses. Natural products from bees and plants are recently becoming the focus of attention as preventive medicine in providing protection against acute and chronic gastric lesions. In the present study, the gastroprotective effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) from Ethiopian central high land was evaluated against ethanol and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in mice. Half kilogram of propolis was soaked in 70% ethyl alcohol for two weeks at room temperature with intermittent shaking twice a day. After evaporating the alcohol and lyophilizing the residue to dryness, a gummy consistent crude propolis extract of 35.35g yield was obtained. The phytochemical screening with thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed that the major phyto-constituents of the extract were amryn type triterpenic alcohols (26.2%), sugars (24.9%) and fatty acids (7.5%), with significant amount of aromatic acids, esters and other alcohols including diterpenic alcohol. Swiss albino mice of 24-32g body weight were fasted for 24hours and pretreated with varying doses of EEP or standard drugs (omeprazole or cimetidine) fifty minutes before ulcer induction either with alcohol or indomethacin. In alcohol-induced ulcers, EEP at doses of 25, 50 and 100mg/kg significantly reduced lesion index and number of the total lesions (P<0.05) in the glandular area of the stomach. In indomethacin-induced ulcers, the same dose of EEP as for alcohol- induced ulcers also significantly decreased ulcer index and number of the total lesions (P<0.05) in the glandular region of the stomach compared to the control. In both cases, the extract was shown to reduce gastric lesions in a dose-dependent manner. The intraperitoneal (i.p) pretreatment with indomethacin one hour before the extract did not affect the gastroprotective effects of the EEP on alcohol-induced ulcers. The histological observations in the glandular area of the stomach also revealed that severe hemorrhagic patchy lesions occurred covering most parts in the absence of EEP. Mucosal epithelial damage was confirmed by microscopic observation of the Hematoxylin-eosin fixed tissue taken from the same glandular area of the stomach. The gastroprotective mechanism of EEP could be due to its antioxidant effects, and/or its film forming properties. Further investigation on the chemical composition and the biological activities of Ethiopian propolis from different agro-ecological zones are recommended.

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