COLLEGE OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Plasmodium berghei, a rodent malaria parasite, has been widely employed as a model for studying malaria-induced pathophysiology. This study investigated the hematological and biochemical alterations associated with graded parasitemia in albino rats experimentally infected with P. berghei. Sixteen (n = 16) female albino rats weighing 130–174 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4 per group): a control group (uninfected) and three treatment groups infected with low (~1 × 10²), medium (~1 × 10⁴), and high (~1 × 10⁶) concentrations of parasitized red blood cells (iRBCs). Inoculation was performed intraperitoneally and animals were monitored for 42 days under standard housing conditions. Hematological parameters, including WBC, RBC, Hb, PCV, and differential leukocyte counts, were assessed using an automated hematology analyzer, while serum electrolytes, urea, and creatinine were measured to evaluate renal function. The results revealed significant changes in hematological indices across groups (p < 0.05). Rats in the high-infection group showed marked leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and monocytosis, alongside reductions in RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume compared to controls. Lymphocyte percentages were significantly elevated in mediumand high-infection groups, whereas eosinophil counts were markedly reduced in all infected groups. Biochemical analysis indicated a significant rise in serum urea levels in infected groups (p = 0.019), while serum creatinine remained unchanged (p = 0.184). These findings suggest that P. berghei infection induces dose-dependent hematological derangements and renal functional alterations, with elevated urea serving as a potential biomarker of malaria-associated renal stress. Further studies are recommended to delineate the mechanisms linking parasitemia severity to hematological and renal pathology.

One well established measures of functional ability and quality of life is the ability to walk. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple, low-tech, safe and well established, self-paced assessment tool to quantify functional exercise capacity in adults. The test is self-paced, with standardized instructions and encouragement being given as patients walk as far as possible for about six minutes through a flat corridor. The final distance is recorded in meters. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of functional exercise on cortisol levels in healthy adult males at the University of Benin. Forty-five (45) healthy adult males aged 18-29 years were recruited for this study. A straight hallway was used at the University of Benin, Physiology Department. The hallway was measured using a measuring tape to mark out 30m and calibrated at intervals of 3m. Two small cones were placed at both ends on the 30m mark to indicate the turnaround points.The subjects' Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated before the test. The pre and post-test vitals were measured and recorded. The Subjects walked back and forth the cones on the 30m hallway and the number of laps walked was counted, recorded and then multiplied by 60 meters to get the total number of meters walked. A 5ml syringe was used for blood collection from the subjects, after collection, the vacutainer tube (plain bottle) was used to collect, store and transport blood samples for laboratory testing. Cortisol levels were measured pre and post-test. The analysis was done at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A CORTISOL ELISA TEST KIT was used for the assessment of the cortisol level test. The statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism statistical package Version 8.1. The standard error of mean (SEM) was used in graphs to display the results.The dependent and independent variable means were compared using the student t-test. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no significant change in cortisol levels before and after the six minute walk test and there was a weak negative correlation between distance covered and blood cortisol level. Furthermore, individual stress response profiles, genetic and hormonal fluctuations can all affect how much cortisol an individual produces in response to various stressors. The cortisol response to exercises intensities are influenced by various factors such as age, gender, time of day and level of physical activity