A study of water quality parameters (temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solid, dissolved oxygen, pH and water hardness) in Titiwangsa Lake was conducted in January, April, July and October 2010. The water quality parameters were tested and recorded at different sampling stations chosen randomly using hydrolab data sonde 4 and surveyor 4 a water quality multi probe (USA). Six metals i.e., cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and copper were determined in five different compartments of the lake namely water, total suspended solids, plankton, sediment and fish. The metals concentration were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), perkin elmer elan, model 9000. The water quality parameters were compared with National Water Quality Standard (NWQS Malaysia) while metal concentrations were compared with Malaysian and international standards. The study shows that water quality parameters are of class 2. This condition is suitable for recreational activities where body contact is allowed and suitable for sensitive fishing activities. Furthermore, metal concentrations were found to be lower than the international standards, therefore toxic effects for these metals would be rarely observed and the adverse effects to aquatic organisms would not frequently occur.
A study of water quality parameters (temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solid, dissolved oxygen, pH and water hardness) in Ampang Hilir Lake was conducted in January, April, July and October 2010. The water quality parameters were tested and recorded at different sampling stations chosen randomly using Hydrolab Data Sonde 4 and Surveyor 4 a water quality multi probe (USA). Six metals which were cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and copper were determined in five different compartments of the lake namely water, total suspended solids, plankton, sediment and fish. The metals concentration were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Perkin Elmer Elan, model 9000.The water quality parameters were compared with National Water Quality Standard (NWQS Malaysia) while metal concentrations were compared with Malaysian and international standards. The study shows that water quality parameters are of class 2. This condition is suitable for recreational activities where body contact is allowed and suitable for sensitive fishing activities. Furthermore, metal concentrations were found to be lower than the international standards, therefore toxic effects for these metals would be rarely observed and the adverse effects to aquatic organisms would not frequently occur.
Schistosomiasis is the second most common parasitic disease post Malaria around the world. Praziquantel (PZQ) is known as the most efficient anti- schistosomal drug but has no anti-fibrotic effect. Metformin (Met) is a well-known drug for type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Met as anti-schistosomal and anti-fibrotic agents alone or in combination with PZQ treatment. Forty male CD1 mice were divided into four groups (n=10 mice) as following; the first group (Gp1) was served as a negative control. Gp2, Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 were infected with (60-80) S. mansoni cercariae. After a month of infection, Gp3 was administered orally with PZQ (500 mg/Kg) for 2 consecutive days. Gp4 was administered orally with Met (150 mg/Kg) for 15 consecutive days, and Gp5 was orally administered with PZQ followed by Met for 15 consecutive days at the same doses as in Gp 3 and 4. The results showed that PZQ had potent worms and egg reduction in liver and intestine tissues with no anti-fibrotic effect of the granuloma formation. However, Met or PZQ/Met treatment postinfection led to a reduction in egg count in both liver and intestine tissues with a significant reduction in granuloma site. Treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with Met or PZQ/Met ameliorated the hematological and biochemical alterations induced by S. mansoni infection. Collectively, Met has no anti-schistosomal activity but led to a reduction in egg deposition and showed an anti-fibrotic effect on granulomatous development either when used alone or in combination with PZQ treatment. This study shed light on the possible role of Met as an anti-fibrotic agent when administered with PZQ for S. mansoni infected humans.