Antioxidant Property of a Dietary Supplement of Moringa oleifera Leaves and Pleurotus ostreatus in Wistar Rats Subjected to Forced Swimming Endurance Test

The antioxidant property of Moringa oleifera leaves and Pleurotus ostreatus on swimming performance and related biochemical parameters were investigated in thirty adult male and female wistar rats. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant property of M. oleifera and P. ostreatus mixture in specific proportions in wistar rats. Material and Methods: The mushroom species and M. oleifera leaves were cultivated at the biotechnology laboratory of the University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal. Oxidative stress in rats was induced by swimming. The dietary supplement was composed of a mixture of powders of Moringa oleifera and Pleurotus ostreatus in 2:1 ratio. Three groups received different doses of dietary supplements 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 1500 mg/kg, with one group being the stressed and the other the control group. Parameters in serum such as serum glutamyl oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase, albumin, Testosterone, creatinine, and, oxidative stress parameters (catalase, reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde) were measured. Results: Results showed that the dietary supplement has an effect on oxidative stress because it increases the activity of catalase and the level of cellular glutathione in rats. The 500 mg/kg dose would be the most appropriate dose for stressful conditions. The 1000 mg/kg dose would be the most appropriate dose for liver damage. Conclusion: This study shows that the antioxidant properties of M. oleifera leaves and Pleurotus ostreatus are demonstrated by their ability to improve body energy stores and tissue antioxidant capacity. The dietary supplement of M. oleifera leaves and P. ostreatus powders mixture could be good in stressful conditions.

Genetic Predisposition for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Cameroonian Population: Contribution of rs4731702 (C/T) Polymorphism of Krüppel-Like Factor 14 Gene

Introduction: Krüppel Like Factor 14 (KLF14) gene has recently been identified as a master gene for multiple metabolic phenotypes. The aim of the research study was to investigate the relationship between KLF14 rs4731702 (C/T) gene polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in a Cameroonian population. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 85 patients with T2DM and 95 healthy normoglycemic controls. All were nonrelated, of Cameroonian origin, and were adults aged 24 years old and above. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected, and biochemical explorations were performed using enzymatic colorimetric methods. The genotyping of KLF14 rs4731702 (CT) gene polymorphism was done by the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Results: In comparing the Cameroonian population that consisted of 85 patients with T2DM and 95 healthy controls, the minor or risk allele of the rs4731702 (C/T) polymorphism of the KLF14 gene was T (63.53% diabetic patients vs. 26.32% healthy controls, OR = 4.877 and p < 0.0001) while the protective allele was C (36.47% diabetic patients vs. 73.68% healthy controls, OR = 0.205 and p < 0.0001). The susceptibility to T2DM was higher among subjects having the CT and TT genotypes with OR = 2.721 and p = 0.0145) and OR = 3.907 and p < 0.0001) respectively. This gene polymorphism was not preferentially associated with a specific diabetes phenotype. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated for the first time the relationship between the KLF14 rs4731702 (C/T) gene polymorphism and T2DM in this Cameroonian population. This gene polymorphism could be a promising target for personalized medicine through the development of clinical genetic testing.

Evaluation of Oxidative Status of Patients with Gout Attack in a Cameroonian Urban Hospital

Background: Gout is the leading cause of microcrystalline arthritis worldwide and the most common cause of arthritis in adult men. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome is high among gout patients;one of the current hypotheses that may explain this relationship is based on oxidative stress;however, few studies have sought to investigate this relationship. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative status of patients with gout attack. Methods: We conducted a case-control study over a 4 months period at the Rheumatology service of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Cases were patients with an acute gout attack and controls were healthy subjects matched for sex and age. We evaluated uricemia, serum levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase and Malondialdehyde (MDA). Oxidative stress was defined by an increase in MDA and/or a decrease in SOD, Catalase and GPx. Statistical analysis was performed by the S.P.S.S. 21.0 software. The Student’s T-test was used to compare means;the significance threshold was 0.05. Results: Sixty subjects were recruited of which 30 with an acute gout attack and 30 healthy subjects. The mean ages of the cases and controls were respectively 58 ± 8 years and 57.6 ± 8 years. Uricemia was statistically higher in cases (81 ± 20 mg/L) compared to controls (47 ± 11 mg/L) (p < 0.001). MDA levels were higher among cases (1.37 ± 0.46 mmol/L) compared to controls (1.14 ± 0.39 mmol/L) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum levels of catalase, SOD and GPx between cases and controls. Conclusion: Patients with gout attack have an elevated serum level of malondialdehyde but their oxidative status seems similar to that of normal individuals.