Insulin resistance and other metabolic risk factors are associated with increased cardiovascular diseases in animals fed with high fat diets (HFD). L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid produced both endogenously and taken in the diet as supplements. It has been documented to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been considered a plausible candidate for the management of metabolic disorders. Therefore, this study is aimed to determine the effects of L-arginine on lipid dysregulation and insulin resistance in high fat-fed male Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats randomly selected into 4 groups, mean weight 110 ± 5 and, (n = 6) were fed rat chow + distilled water (vehicle); CTR, rat chow + L-arginine (150 mg/kg), HFD + vehicle, HFD + L-Arginine (150 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The animals were anesthetized with 50 mg/kg pentobarbital sodium intraperitoneally, blood sample was taken via cardiac puncture and thereafter collected into a heparinized tube. Data were expressed as means ± SEM. HFD increased body weight gain, serum Insulin, Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), area under the curve (AUC), leptin, Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), triglyceride-glucose index (TYG), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFAs), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), TC/HDL-C, Log TG/HDL-C, TC-HDL-C)/HDL-C but decreased phospoinositide-3-kinase (PIK3) when compared with control. L-arginine, resulted in significant reduction in weight gain, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, AUC, HOMA-IR, leptin, while increasing PIK3, Lp(a), TG, TC and FFA when compared with HFD. The amelioration of lipid and glucose accumulation by L-arginine supplementation in high fat diet-fed male Wistar rats is accompanied by reduced leptin levels and PIK3 augmentation.

Background: Eye health is an essential aspect of overall health, and visual impairment (VI) can significantly impact academic performance and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of VI among undergraduates and the pattern of VI. We set out to give the situational analysis of the student’s eye health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1407 undergraduate students at the institution. Data obtained includes sociodemographic characteristics, vital signs, and visual acuity using a structured questionnaire. Visual acuity was classified using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems version 11 (ICD-11) of VI. Results: VI was found in either the right or left eyes of 797 (56.65%) participants. Of the 645 respondents with right-eye VI, 531 (82.3%) had mild VI while 104 (16.1%) had moderate VI. VI was found in the left eye of 657 (46.7%) respondents. The study also found that females had a significantly higher prevalence of VI than males (p < 0.05). Only 231 (28.98%) of the respondents had corrective lenses presently. Conclusions: The prevalence of VI among undergraduates is high, and the proportion currently using corrective spectacles among them is quite low. Eye health should be prioritized among undergraduates.

Hyperandrogenism is characterized by high levels of testosterone, which has been reported to cause insulin resistance and other metabolic adversities. Spir

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication, is associated with significant metabolic disturbances, including dyslipidemia, which increases cardiovascular risk, lipoprotein lipase activity, and suppressed catabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Ocimum basilicum, commonly known as basil, has been used to treat various infectious ailments, such as helminthic, malaria, and fungal infections, manage diabetes, diabetes-induced nephropathy, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Thus, we hypothesized that Ocimum basilicum would offer a cardioprotective effect against cardiometabolic dysfunction induced by olanzapine. Twenty female Wistar rats weighing 160 ± 10 g were randomly assigned into four groups: control, Ocimum basilicum only (400 mg/kg orally), olanzapine only (5 mg/kg orally), and olanzapine plus Ocimum basilicum. After four weeks of treatment, animals were sacrificed following anesthesia with Ketamine (90mg/kg) and xylazine (10mg/kg) and blood and cardiac tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Ocimum basilicum supplementation significantly attenuated olanzapine induced atherogenic dyslipidemia by increasing nitric oxide, high-density lipoprotein, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase levels, while significantly reducing lipoprotein(a), uric acid, triglycerides, and interleukin 1 beta levels compared with the olanzapine only group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that Ocimum basilicum exerts cardioprotective effects against olanzapine induced metabolic and atherogenic alterations, potentially through 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediated nitric oxide pathway activation, and may represent a promising adjunct therapeutic strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk associated with olanzapine treatment.