SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Hippocampal dysfunction, often linked to learning and memory impairments, can result from neurodegeneration or exposure to toxic agents. Manganese chloride, a neurotoxic compound, accumulates in the hippocampus and disrupts neuronal signalling through oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, leading to cognitive deficits. Vanillin, a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential in protecting against such neurotoxic damage and preserving hippocampal integrity. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of vanillin on manganese chloride-induced hippocampal toxicity in Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A served as control; Group B received 10 mg/kg body weight [BW] of manganese chloride only; Group C received 20 mg/kg BW of vanillin and 10 mg/kg BW of manganese chloride. Group D received 40 mg/kg BW of vanillin and 10 mg/kg BW of manganese chloride. Group E received 20 mg/kg BW of vanillin only and Group F received 40 mg/kg BW of vanillin only. All administrations, lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Nneurobehavioral activities were evaluated using the Novel object recognition and elevated plus maze tests.

Kidney development involves a complex series of molecular events, including cellular interactions, genetic signaling, and tissue differentiation, which collectively establish the foundation for these essential organs' functionality. However, this intricate developmental process can be sensitive to external influences. Given the kidneys' vital role in maintaining the body's balance and their susceptibility to developmental disruptions, it is crucial to investigate the potential consequences of prenatal Caffeine exposure. The impact of early-life exposure to toxins is increasingly recognized as having long-lasting effects that can contribute to various health issues throughout an individual's lifespan. Considering the widespread use of Caffeine among pregnant women, it becomes imperative to assess its effects on fetal kidney development. The aim of this study is to assess the histology of kidney development following intrauterine exposure to Caffeine in Wistar dams. In this study, thirty (30) adult Wistar rats weighing between 170 g and 180 g were used. The animals were paired overnight at the estrous cycle with sexually active males in the ratio of 2:1. Estrous cycle was confirmed by vaginal lavage. The presence of vaginal plug and/or sperm in the vaginal smear was GD0. The pregnant rats were divided into two groups (A and B) with fifteen (15) rats per group. Group A served as Control and was administered with a single intraperitoneal injection of 1ml of normal saline on GD 11, in addition to free access to feed and water. Group B served as the treated group and was administered a single intraperitoneal injection of 150mg/kg/day from GD11. On each gestational day (GD15, GD17, and GD19), five (5) animals were sampled from each group and sacrificed. The uterine horns were exteriorized and incised at the greater curvature of the horns. Fetal kidney tissues were harvested from each group for histological assessment. Histological studies showed that the group treated with Caffeine presented hypoplasia of the glomerulus on GD 17. Hypoplasia of the glomerulus and incomplete canalization of the renal tubules were what characterized the kidney on GD 19. In conclusion, caffeine has teratogenic potential against kidney development in Wistar rats

High salt consumption is known to be detrimental to cardiovascular health and can lead to various problems. However, the effects of antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants on salt-induced vascular
dysfunction remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine the influence of antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants on impact of salt-loading in platelet and endothelial function. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to control group and different test groups receiving a high salt diet with different antihypertensive drugs and antioxidants interventions. The control group received a normal rat chow (0.3% NaCl) and water, the high salt (HS) group received rat chow containing (8% NaCl), others were fed on high salt diet (8% NaCl) with interventions including Lisinopril 2.3mg/kg/d, Losartan 0.1mg/kg/d, Verapamil 0.1mg/kg/d,m Vitamin C 100mg/kg/d, Magnesium 4.8mM and Kolaviron 200mg/kg/d. Drug administrations were by oral gavage. Blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) were monitored using the cufftail artery method. At the end of 8 weeks treatment period, animals were sacrificed using
chloroform anaesthesia, carefully, the abdominal cavity was cut open by mid-line incision using a clean dissecting set. Left ventricle, aorta and mesenteric artery were harvested and blood samples were collected for platelet count, platelet indices and gene protein expression analyses. The result showed a significant increase in the mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic pressure in saltloaded rats compared with control, the high salt + Lisinopril, Losartan, Verapamil, Vitamin C,
Magnesium and Kolaviron groups showed significant reduction in blood pressure compared with high salt group. There was a significant increase in platelet activating factor (PAF) gene expression
in high salt group compared with control. High salt co-treated with Lisinopril, Losartan, Verapamil, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Kolaviron groups showed significant decrease in PAF gene expression compared to high salt group. There were no significant changes in platelet count across groups compared with control. There was a significant decrease in mean platelet volume in HS + Lisinopril and HS + Verapamil groups compared with control but there were no significant changes in all the other groups compared with control. There were no significant changes in plateletcrit in all the groups compared with control. There were no significant changes in platelet distribution
width in all the groups compared with control. There was significant decrease in platelet large cell ratio in HS + Lisinopril, HS + Verapamil and HS + Kolaviron groups compared with control but
there were no significant changes in all the other groups compared with control respectively. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that suggests that high salt diet may alter platelets function through oxidative, and protein enzyme receptor pathways which may be explored for improvement in therapeutic interventions.

Background: Nigeria requires more physiotherapists and specialized training to improve care quality. A mandatory one-year internship bridges the gap between education and practice, enhancing skills and confidence.The quality of internship training, including supervision, learning opportunities, and a supportive environment, plays a crucial role in influencing interns’ satisfaction and their specialization choices. Aim: The aim and purpose of this research is to explore physiotherapy interns’ knowledge perceptions, and attitude towards specializing in neurophysiotherapy in south-south, Nigeria Methods: The study employs a cross-sectional design using a proportionate sampling technique, with a calculated sample size of 126 physiotherapy interns distributed across seven hospitals in South-South Nigeria.Data collection will be conducted through a self-adapted questionnaire divided into four sections: socio-demographic information, knowledge, perception, and attitude towards specializing in neurophysiotherapy.Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics and inferential tools, such as chi-square tests, using SPSS version 22 at a 0.05 significance level. Result: The study revealed that most participants were male (68.2%), over 30 years old (59.1%), single (93.2%), and Christian (81.8%). A majority of interns (81.1%) rated their knowledge of neurophysiotherapy and its components as "good" or "very good," with all identifying key neurological conditions suitable for rehabilitation. Exposure to neurology units (75.8%) and treatment modalities (72.7%) significantly influenced their decision to specialize, though many (76.5%) found neurophysiotherapy challenging. Overall, interns expressed curiosity (79.6%) and a willingness to enhance their knowledge through clinical experiences. Conclusion: The findings showed that most interns had strong foundational knowledge of neurophysiotherapy, with high confidence in their ability to specialize. However, challenges and uncertainties about managing neurological conditions persisted. Despite this, participants maintained a positive attitude and perception toward specializing in neurophysiotherapy

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has presented a major threat to public health worldwide. COVID-19 is the result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on December 2019. It is highly contagious and transmission is via respiratory droplets and direct contact. There are no specific antiviral measures available to treat COVID-19 but there are several treatment options that could be pursued as first-line therapy for COVID-19 which is the repurposing of drugs like Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, zinc, selenium, lopinavir/ritonavir and ivermectin. The aim of this project was to evaluate and monitor the adverse effects of the recommended drugs for the treatment of COVID 19 in the liver Proteins of Wistar rats. 60 rats were used for this study and the parameters that was assayed for was albumin, total protein, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin. Albumin was analysed using bromocresol green reagent, total protein was analysed using biuret reagent, and bilirubin by Evelyn and Malloy's method. The data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM Inc. USA). The results showed that the Albumin of animals treated with Combination 7(2.93±0.14), Combination 8 (3.10±0.15) and combination 9 (3.08±0.15) were significantly lower than that of the control (4.17±0.18) (p<0.05). There was significant difference in direct bilirubin of experimental animals across most treated groups (p<0.05). It also showed that total bilirubin was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals treated with ivermectin (0.93±0.10) and Lopinavir-ritonavir (0.92±0.06) when compared to control (0.47±0.07), and Total protein was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals treated with ivermectin (8.62±0.45) when compared to control (7.02±0.22). In conclusion, the administration of these drugs adversely affected the synthetic and excretory functions of the liver. Regular assessment of liver function parameters, including albumin, total bilirubin, and total protein levels should be made compulsory in patients receiving COVID-19 drugs.

Chronic diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia and associated complications. Assessing erythropoietin (EPO) levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic patients can provide valuable insights into the management and progression of the disease. This study aims to assess the EPO levels and HbA1c levels in patients with complications of diabetes mellitus and evaluate the clinical implications of these assessments. A case-control study was conducted on a sample of 81 consenting participants including 21 patients presenting complications of diabetes mellitus, 30 diabetic patients without any complications, and 30 environmental control persons. EPO levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and HbA1c levels were also determined through modified enzymatic reaction. Demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, diabetes duration, and medication history, were collected via questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between EPO levels and HbA1c levels. Values obtained in this study was presented as mean ± standard deviation (levels of significance were accepted at p<0.001). In this study, high HbA1c levels among diabetic patients with complications were associated with a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, the increased erythropoietin levels were attributed to the absence of nephropathy, a condition typically linked to lower erythropoietin levels, in these patients. Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these assessments in predicting diabetes complications and guiding therapeutic interventions

Pediatric patients are particularly sensitive to ionizing radiation, making dose optimization and radiation protection essential during diagnostic imaging. This study assessed entrance skin doses (ESD) and radiation protection practices in pediatric X-ray examinations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Using a cross-sectional observational design, 164 pediatric patients aged 0-14 years undergoing routine X-ray examinations were observed between July and August 2025. Entrance skin doses were calculated using the indirect method based on exposure parameters and tube output specifications. Radiation protection practices were assessed using a structured checklist covering pediatric technical factors, beam collimation, patient positioning, protocols, beam quality, protective shielding, and exposure optimization. Mean ESDs exceeded international diagnostic reference levels across all examinations: chest X- rays (0.19 ± 0.08 mGy, 90% above reference), abdominal X-rays (0.58 ± 0.21 mGy, 93% above reference), skull X-rays (0.38 ± 0.13 mGy, 90% above reference), and limb X-rays (0.14 ± 0.06 mGy, 40% above reference). Only 14% of examinations achieved recommended dose levels. Overall radiation protection compliance was moderate at 63.9%, with only 11% demonstrating excellent practices. Critical deficiencies included protective shielding (51.7% compliance), weight-based technique selection (42.7%), and thyroid shielding (35.4%). A significant negative correlation existed between protection scores and entrance skin doses (r = -0.512, p = 0.001). The study concludes that pediatric X-ray doses at UBTH consistently exceed international standards, requiring urgent optimization interventions including establishing diagnostic reference levels, implementing standardized protocols, enhancing shielding practices, and conducting regular dose audits.

Lipids, including fats, sterols, and fat-soluble vitamins, play essential roles in energy storage, cell signaling, and cellular structure, making them vital to biological systems and industries such as food, cosmetics, and nanotechnology. Seafood, particularly fish like *Scomber scombrus* (Atlantic mackerel), is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provide numerous health benefits, including protection against heart diseases and oxidative stress. This study investigates the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of fish oil extracted from *Scomber scombrus* using various preparation methods (raw, marinated, boiled, and fried). The antioxidant potential of the oil, assessed through its ability to inhibit malonaldehyde (MDA) formation via the Fenton reaction, revealed that raw cured samples exhibited the highest scavenging activity, while boiled samples showed the lowest. These findings highlight the benefits of curing to preserve antioxidant properties in fish oil and suggest its potential application in mitigating oxidative stress-related diseases. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of lipids and omega-3s in seafood quality, preservation, and overall human health. Further exploration of cooking methods and antioxidant stability is recommended to enhance the nutritional value of seafood.

Background: University students often face challenges such as poor dietary habits, irregular physical activity, and academic stress, which can adversely affect their health and quality of life (QoL). Nutritional status, physical activity, and QoL are key interrelated health determinants, but limited evidence exists among Nigerian university populations. Understanding these relationships is essential for promoting healthy lifestyles and better well-being among young adults.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the association between nutritional status, physical activity, and quality of life among non-clinical undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 330 non-clinical undergraduates selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a self- administered questionnaire comprising the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square tests, were used, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Among the 330 participants, 54.8% were male and 45.2% female, mostly aged 18–25 years. The mean BMI was 24.13 ± 14.18 kg/m², with 53.3% having normal weight, 19.4%
overweight, 12.1% obese, and 11.2% underweight. Most students (76.1%) practiced healthy eating habits. Physical activity levels were moderate in 48.8%, low in 30.9%, and high in 20.3%. Regarding QoL, 62.7% had moderate scores, 32.7% high, and 4.5% low. A significant association was found between nutritional status and physical activity (p = 0.037), but not between nutritional status and QoL (p = 0.096) or physical activity and QoL (p = 0.697).
Conclusion: This study found a significant association between nutritional status and physical activity, but not with quality of life among non-clinical students in the University of Benin. Most students maintained normal BMI and moderate physical activity levels, though some displayed poor nutrition and lifestyle habits. These findings highlight the importance of university-based health programs to improve nutrition, activity levels, and overall well-being.

Arsenic trioxide, widely used in industry and medicine, poses significant risks of cardiotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to cardiac tissue. Azanza garkeana, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential cardioprotective effects by mitigating oxidative damage and preserving cardiac function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Azanza garckeana on arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats each. Group A served as the control group and receive 1 ml of distilled water. Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide only. Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 500 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group D received 100mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 1000mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group E and Group F received 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana only, respectively. Rats received oral administration for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed afterwards and heart tissues were harvested and processed for routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Results showed some histological alterations: hypertrophic cardiomypathy, vascular dilatation and congestion, perivascular infiltrates of inflammatory cells, evidence of myocarditis in rats treated with arsenic trioxide only. However, there were significant improvements in the rats treated with arsenic trioxide and Azanza garckeana evidenced by normal histological features: branching and anastomosing myocardial fibres with centrally-located nuclei. In conclusion, findings from this study showed that Azanza garckeana protects against arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats.