Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Sodium Acetate Attenuates Fructose-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Pregnant Wistar Rats.","authors":"Olufemi Oyabambi, Francis Muyiwa Agbaraolorunpo, Emmanuel Adeola Adekanye, Atinuke Alice Oyabambi, Lawrence Aderemi Olatunji","doi":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.15","DOIUrl":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.15","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiometabolic disorder is a leading cause of mortality, and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in its pathophysiology. The mechanisms by which acetate improves fructose-induced cardiometabolic disturbances in pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed at investigating the role of acetate in modulating the fructose-induced cardiometabolic risks in pregnancy. Thirty-six female Wistar rats (120-150g) were divided into six groups, n=6. A total of 18 rats were made pregnant and 18 non-pregnant. The groups consisted of control (C), fructose (F), and fructose-acetate (FA). The FA group received 10% (w/v) fructose plus sodium acetate (200mg/kg) and distilled water. After three weeks, animals were anesthetized with ketamine (90mg/kg) and xylazine (10mg/kg). Blood and tissue homogenates were analyzed, and data were expressed as mean ± SEM, with significant difference accepted at p < 0.05. Compared to control, fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), circulatory free fatty acids (FFA), uric acid (UA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher in fructose-treated pregnant rats, and non-pregnant rats. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and cardiac aconitase activities were significantly lower in both non-pregnant and pregnant rats, with a more profound effect seen in pregnant rats. Meanwhile, pregnancy significantly exacerbated the fructose-induced alteration in UA, FFA, TG, HDL and MDA. Fructose-induced cardiometabolic alterations were mitigated by acetate irrespective of the gestational status. Acetate restores mitochondrial oxidative capacity in pregnancy, making it a potential therapeutic agent for improving mitochondrial metabolic activities in debilitating gestational cardiac disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"339-347"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perception of First-Year MBBS Students Regarding Model Making as a Learning Method: Fostering Creativity, Teamwork, and Conceptual Understanding in Physiology.","authors":"Arrthy S, S Saravanan","doi":"10.54548/","DOIUrl":"10.54548/","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medical education increasingly emphasizes active learning strategies to enhance engagement, understanding, and higher-order cognitive skills. Model-making competitions represent a creative, student-centered approach that encourages conceptual clarity, innovation, and teamwork in physiology education. This study aimed to explore undergraduate medical students' perceptions of model-making competitions as an active learning strategy in physiology, focusing on conceptual understanding, creativity, and teamwork. A model-making competition was organized for 150 first-year MBBS students, divided into 30 self-formed teams. Each team prepared a model on a physiology topic of their choice over one month, with faculty guidance available as needed. Completed models were exhibited and evaluated by senior faculty using a structured rubric. Following the event, students completed a structured feedback questionnaire to assess their perceptions of the activity. Of 150 participants, 128 (85.3%) provided feedback. The overall experience was rated Excellent (53.9%) or Good (44.5%). A majority (97%) reported improved conceptual understanding, while 95% agreed the activity fostered creativity. Teamwork was rated Excellent by 50% and Good by 39%. Most students (95%) felt preparation time was adequate, 69% expressed willingness to participate again, and 90% reported being motivated to explore physiology concepts further. Model-making competitions were perceived as highly effective in enhancing conceptual understanding, fostering creativity, and promoting teamwork. These findings support the integration of model-making into the physiology curriculum as an engaging and practical student-centered teaching-learning strategy. •.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"357-359"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional Approaches to Treating Erectile Dysfunction in Africa.","authors":"Abdulhakeem Olarewaju Sulyman","doi":"10.54548/","DOIUrl":"10.54548/","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an increasingly prevalent global health issue. Although FDA-approved   medications like sildenafil are available, their use is often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Consequently, there is growing interest in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment option. This review provides a detailed mechanistic analysis of key African medicinal plants utilized for managing erectile dysfunction. Relevant literature was obtained from authoritative scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Search terms such as \"erectile dysfunction,\" \"African medicinal plants,\" \"traditional medicine,\" and \"mechanisms of action\" were used to identify pertinent studies. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate research on African medicinal plants with reported efficacy in ED treatment. Studies were selected based on scientific rigor, pharmacological investigations, and mechanistic insights into their bioactive compounds and therapeutic pathways. Numerous African medicinal plants have exhibited efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction by mechanisms including the enhancement of nitric oxide production, the modulation of enzymatic pathways (e.g., phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition), and the improvement of blood circulation. While existing studies highlight their effectiveness, there is still limited understanding of their precise molecular mechanisms and possible adverse effects. African medicinal plants offer a promising alternative for ED management. However, further research, including mechanistic studies and clinical trials, is essential to establish their safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. This review emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional medicine into ED treatment strategies. Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, Medcinal plants, Herbal remedies, Traditional medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"225-235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Placental Adaptations to Maternal Nutritional Insults as Targets Against the Obesity Epidemic.","authors":"O A Olayinka, O E Julius","doi":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.2","DOIUrl":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The worldwide obesity epidemic presents a considerable public health and economic challenge globally. While lifestyle and genetic predisposition are recognized obesogenic factors, compelling evidence indicates that maternal nutritional \"insults\" (MNI) occurring before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or during lactation predispose the offspring to obesity and other cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood. This phenomenon termed developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) can be utilized to formulate intervention strategies aimed at counteracting the developmental programming of obesity in subsequent generations. The placenta, a temporary organ of pregnancy, experiences adaptive changes in response to MNI. Alterations in placental secretory functions, morphology, and gene expression profiles influence foetal metabolic pathways. The mechanisms through which placental adaptations influence developmental programming present a distinct opportunity to pinpoint targets in combating the increasing prevalence of obesity. Clinical and experimental studies have clarified various underlying mechanisms, including modified placental metabolic regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysregulation, and epigenetic alterations, offering insights for the formulation of effective intervention strategies. This review encapsulates placental adaptive responses to MNI, elucidates the underlying mechanisms, explores potential placental intervention strategies, and identifies areas for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"213-223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histochemical Study of Nissl Substance and Astrocytes in a Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Model of Epilepsy Treated with <i>Musa Paradisiaca</i> Stem Juice.","authors":"I F Bassey, N M Umo, Eru Mba, M O Ajaba, W A Nnenna, B E Kanu, F N Okpabi, A E Ekanem, G U Udoaffah, A Ushie","doi":"10.54548/","DOIUrl":"10.54548/","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epilepsy disrupts the transmission of electrical signals within the brain and is characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures, with an average epidiemologic index of 60 million affected individuals worldwide. The study examined the neurohistochemistry of Nissl substance and astrocytes in epileptic rats administered Musa paradisiaca (MP) stem juice. Sixty minutes after the administration of escalating doses of MP stem juice and diazepam (an anticonvulsant), a seizure was induced using Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The animals were arbitrarily distributed into the groups A, B, C, D, and E. All of the animals were fed rat pellets and purified water. Group A served as the standard control, receiving rat pellets and deionized water. The animals in Group B, which served as the PTZ control, received intraperitoneal administration of 65mg/kg body weight of PTZ. Group C was the PTZ + Diazepam (DZP) treatment group, and the animals were given 4 mg/kg body weight of DZP orally 60 minutes prior to intraperitoneal administration of PTZ. Group D was given 2500 mg/kg body weight of MP stem juice orally for seven days prior to intraperitoneal administration of Pentylenetetrazole, followed by an hour of MP stem juice treatment [Low dose] Group E (PTZ + MP [High dose]) received 5000mg/kg body weight of MP stem juice orally for 7 days prior to intraperitoneal PTZ administration, followed by 1 hour of MP stem juice [High dose] post-treatment. On the histochemical components of tissue sections, MP stem juice (2500mg/kg and 5000mg/kg) and the DZP group of animals exhibited significant antiepileptic effects. Histochemical studies revealed that the intensity of staining of Nissl substances in Group B decreased in comparison to the treated groups (C, D, and E). Immunohistochemistry analysis of astrocytes revealed that DZP and MP treated groups (D and E) had fewer astrocyte expressions than the PTZ control group, which was densely populated with astrocytes. The findings indicate that administration of MP stem juice is beneficial for the local management of epilepsy and can also mitigate the neuronal damage associated with epileptic seizures to some extent.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"349-355"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-Specific Sub-Acute Toxicity and Immunomodulatory Profile of a Nigerian Polyherbal Supplement (Napherbs) In Albino Wistar Rats.","authors":"Saheed Afolabi, Olufunke Olorundare, Olatunde Akanbi, Samuel Ibiyemi","doi":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.14","DOIUrl":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>NaPherbs, a Nigerian-based polyherbal supplement compounded with Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygdalina, Garcinia kola, etc. is consumed locally as an immune-boosting nutraceutical. In this study, we investigated its preliminary immune-boosting mechanisms and sub-acute toxicity profile in both male and female albino Wistar rats. A total of 40 Wistar rats (20 males and 20 females) were randomly allotted to 5 experimental groups (n=8, 4 males and 4 females); control, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day of NaPherbs for 30 consecutive days. The animals were anesthetized, and cardiac puncture was used to obtain serum for biochemical assays such as the serum lipid profile, immunoglobulins concentration, proinflammatory cytokines' concentration and liver function enzymes; and whole blood for hematological assessment. In vivo antioxidant assays were carried out also on the liver homogenates, while the liver and kidneys were examined histologically in both male and female animals. There was a dose-dependent increase in the neutrophil: leucocyte ratio in the female animals. This has been linked to physiological stress, underlying disease condition and most recently a risk factor for early onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). NaPherbs did not pose any major cardiovascular risk across the groups, and there seemed to be some level of cardioprotection judging from the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) observed in both sexes. The antioxidant indices assayed for were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by NaPherbs treatment, except for the catalase enzyme which was significantly increased in the female animals. As a purported immune-boosting supplement, we carried out a preliminary investigation on its effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins. NaPherbs did not significantly (P<0.05) alter these indices. Histological examination of the liver and kidneys showed that NaPherbs did not cause any major deleterious effect to these organs, except for mild infiltration of the sinusoids with inflammatory cells in the hepatocyte. NaPherbs showed a consistent profile of safety across the animals and doses considered in this study. However, further immunologic assays must be explored to validate its immune boosting claims and more specific toxicity assays must be employed to focus more on neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and gonadotoxicity in both sexes.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"329-337"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interplay Between Depression, Anxiety, and Working Memory among Students in College of Medical Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria.","authors":"Aliyu Muhammad Kabir, Maryam B Akor-Dewu, Y Yusha'u, U A Muhammad, H Mujttapha, F M Khalid","doi":"10.54548/","DOIUrl":"10.54548/","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>University life presents a mix of academic and social challenges that often contribute to stress and mental health issues. Chronic stress, particularly in university students, is a well-known risk factor for depression and anxiety, which can lead to cognitive impairments such as deficits in working memory. This study explored the prevalence of depression and anxiety among students at the College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and examined their impact on working memory. A cross-sectional approach was used, involving undergraduates from different levels and departments within the college. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety, while the 2-back task evaluated working memory performance. Findings revealed a high prevalence of depressive (47.84%) and anxiety (65.12%) symptoms among students. However, no significant relationship was found between these symptoms and working memory performance (p > 0.05). Students experiencing anxiety were 12 times more likely to develop depression, highlighting the strong co-occurrence of these conditions (p = 0.00). Age did not have a significant effect on these results. These results emphasize the urgent need for increased mental health awareness and accessible support services for university students to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety on academic performance and overall well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"245-250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intranasal Dexamethasone Selectively Impairs Exploratory and Learning Behaviour While Sparing Peripheral Metabolic and Oxidative Homeostasis in Adult Mice.","authors":"Abdulbasit Amin, Wahab Imam Abdulmajeed, Abdulrazaq Bidemi Nafiu, Olugbenga Akinola, Aboyeji Lukuman Oyewole, Firdaos Folakemi Olagunju, Ridohullahi Muhammad Toyyib, Mary Oluwatobi Dada, Stephen Eneape, Kamaldeen Idowu Bello, Abdulmusawwir Alli-Oluwafuyi, Yaaqub Abiodun Uthman, Aminu Imam","doi":"10.54548/","DOIUrl":"10.54548/","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dexamethasone (Dex) is a potent synthetic glucocorticoid with broad clinical applications, but systemic administration often leads to metabolic disturbances and cognitive side effects. Intranasal Dex has potential to deliver glucocorticoids directly to the brain, minimizing systemic side effects associated with traditional administration. However, its comprehensive effects on metabolic, behavioural, and neurochemical endpoints after repeated dosing remain unclear. Adult male mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control (saline) and dexamethasone (Dex) doses of 5, 15, or 50 μg/kg administered intranasally once daily for seven days. Peripheral measures included body weight, fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance test (GTT), fasting serum and brain insulin levels, HOMA‑IR, and serum corticosterone via ELISA. Behavioural assays comprised the Morris Water Maze, Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field Test, and Novel Object Recognition Test. Brain homogenates were analysed for oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione), cholinergic activity (acetylcholinesterase), and trace minerals (Zn, Fe, Ca). Intranasal Dex did not affect body weight, glycaemic control, insulin sensitivity, or corticosterone levels. Dose‑dependent declines in locomotor exploration and spontaneous alternation were observed, alongside increased escape latencies during spatial learning without altering memory retention or novel object recognition. Oxidative stress markers and global Zn, Fe, and Ca remained stable; however, acetylcholinesterase activity trended downward and variability in Fe and Ca emerged at higher doses. Seven-day intranasal Dex selectively impairs exploratory behaviour and learning acquisition through central glucocorticoid receptor-mediated synaptic and cholinergic modulation, while preserving peripheral metabolic and oxidative balance.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"293-301"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardio-respiratory and haematological indices in factory workers exposed to cement dust.","authors":"Oluwatimileyin Elijah Yussuf, Abayomi Oluwatosin Ige","doi":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.4","DOIUrl":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Nigerian cement industry, which produces 58.9 million metric tonnes annually, creates occupational health risks for workers who regularly encounter cement dust containing fine particulates with crystalline silica and heavy metals. This study aims to investigate the effect of cement dust on cardio-respiratory and haematological indices in exposed factory workers. The research design utilized a cross-sectional approach on 111 participants (60 cement factory workers (53 male, 7 female) who had at least three years of exposure and 51 control subjects (44 male, 7 female), matched by demographic characteristics and unexposed to cement dust. Pulmonary function was assessed via spirometry, cardiovascular health was evaluated using electrocardiography and measurement of blood pressure by a digital sphygmomanometer, and a haematological analysis (full blood count) was carried out using standard methods. The study data demonstrated that exposed workers experienced significant decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Expiratory Flow at 75% of FVC (FEF75), and peak expiratory flow, which point towards restrictive pulmonary damage. The cardiovascular evaluations revealed elevated systolic blood pressure, along with prolonged QTc intervals and reduced T-wave amplitudes. Simultaneously, the haematological assessments revealed increased red cell distribution width and changes in white blood cell counts. The results demonstrate the occupational risk factors (marked declines in lung function, disruptions in cardiac indices, and haematological abnormalities) associated with cement dust contact, highlighting the necessity for stronger industrial regulations with protective measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"235-244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Raw garlic homogenate ameliorates cardiometabolic effect of high caloric intake in Wistar rats.","authors":"Emmanuel Ademilusi, Abodunrin Ojetola, Olasunkanmi Ademilusi, Jerome Asiwe, Adesoji Fasanmade","doi":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.7","DOIUrl":"10.54548/njps.v40i2.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fructose consumption has tremendously increased due to increased consumption of sweeteners in beverages, and this has been suggested to increase caloric intake. Higher caloric intake had been linked with diverse health consequences such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Garlic (Allium sativum) has also been reported to be protective against adverse dietary effects. We hypothesized that increased caloric intake via sweetened drinks can cause hemorheologic, haematopoietic, nutritional, and metabolic derangements and that raw garlic homogenate consumption can mitigate these adverse effects.  Therefore, we investigated the effects of increased caloric intake via sweetened drink as well as examined the potentials of raw garlic homogenate (RGH) to ameliorate such effects in Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=5): Control, Fructose (F) given fructose sweetened drink (FSD), Allium Sativum (AS) given raw garlic homogenate (RGH) (250 mg/kg/day) and F+AS given FSD and RGH (250 mg/kg/day) for nine weeks. Energy intake, haematopoiesis, metabolic risk factors, hemorheologic variables, fluid intake, liver enzymes and serum proteins were significantly increased by increased caloric intake via FSD consumption, however, RGH mitigated these effects in treated rats as observed from comparison between groups F and F+AS rats. The findings of this study revealed the fact that sugar sweetened beverages can increase caloric intake tremendously, even in the face of significantly reduced food intake and that RGH can ameliorate the adverse effects induced by high caloric intake in Wistar rats.</p>","PeriodicalId":35043,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"263-269"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}