Avl9181

Urinalysis was performed for 5 rats in each group on week 13 of administration. Fresh urine (sampled within approximately 3 hr of urine excretion) was collected to determine pH, protein, glucose, ketone body, bilirubin, and occult blood using a urine analyzer (Miditron^® Junior II, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) or test kits (Combur 10 Test^®M stick; Roche Diagnostics). Urine was also visually observed for color and turbidity and the sediment was examined microscopically (Olympus BX50, Olympus Optical Co., Tokyo, Japan). In addition, 24-hr urine (after excretion) samples were examined for urine volume, specific gravity, sodium, and potassium using a measuring cylinder, a specific gravimeter (Vet360, Reichert, Depew, NY, USA), or an automatic analyzer (AVL9181, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).

Levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride in urine and the plant extract were analyzed. Urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations were determined using an ion-selective electrode analyzer (AVL 9181; Roche, Germany) at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Ratios of electrolytes; — Na⁺:K⁺ and Cl⁻:K⁺ + Na⁺ — were calculated. pH was directly determined on fresh urine samples using a pH meter (Mettler Toledo, Columbus, OH, USA). The salt content of the different doses of both extracts was determined to rule out its contribution to urinary electrolyte concentration.