Oluwole B. Akinola

Formal body bequest program in Nigerian medical schools: when do we start?

Human body dissection is a prerequisite for the training of health professionals and the conduct of medical research. However, most Nigerian medical schools experience difficulty obtaining an adequate and regular supply of human tissue. Presently, the major source of anatomical material comes from unclaimed bodies collected from hospital mortuaries. However, one sure way to ensure a regular supply of bodies for anatomical dissection is to establish a whole body bequest program among the departments of anatomy in Nigerian medical schools. If such a program were to be supported by an appropriate legislative act of parliament, the supply of acceptable cadavers for anatomical teaching and research would be substantially increased. The author advocates for establishing a whole body bequest program among Nigerian medical schools. Anat Sci Educ.

Diabetes-induced prefrontal nissl substance deficit and the effects of neem-bitter leaf extract treatment

La disfuncion cognitiva es presuntamente asociada con un mal manejo de la diabetes mellitus. En este estudio, se presenta el efecto del tratamiento oral combinado con extracto de hoja (CLE) de hoja de neem amarga sobre la corteza prefrontal de ratas Wistar con diabetes. Las ratas Wistar adultas fueron asignadas al azar a uno de los siguientes grupos: control, diabetes (STZ inducida), STZ + CLE, STZ + metformina y CLE. Despues de la eutanasia, los cortes de parafina de la corteza prefrontal se tineron con violeta de cresil rapido, mientras que el malondialdehido (MDA) y la glutation peroxidasa (GPx) fueron analizadas en homogenizados prefrontales. El CLE produce normoglucemia en las ratas hiperglucemicas tratadas. Ademas, las secciones prefrontales tenidas para Nissl no muestran ningun deficit morfologico en todos los grupos excepto en las ratas diabeticas sin tratamiento. En este ultimo caso, hubo una tincion de Nissl debil, mientras que la MDA prefrontal fue significativamente mas alta en comparacion con los grupos de ratas control y las tratadas con CLE (p <0,05). Este estudio mostro que la diabetes mellitus no tratada se asocia con deficit prefrontal de cuerpos de Nissl y estres oxidativo en ratas Wistar. La ausencia de estos deficits en las ratas tratadas CLE, sugiere un efecto neuroprotector del extracto en ratas diabeticas inducidas por estreptozotocina. Esto puede mejorar la funcion cognitiva de la corteza prefrontal en la diabetes mellitus.

Sweet old memories: a review of the experimental models of the association between diabetes, senility and dementia.

Abstract7As the burden of Alzheimer’s dementia rises, so does our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of this neurodegenerative disease. Some of the recent advances in the aetiopathogenesis of neurodegeneration include the finding that insulin receptor signalling is key to neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in the brain, especially in areas related to memory formation and storage, including the hippocampus. This suggests an association between impaired insulin receptor signalling and neurodegenerative events. To decipher this association, several animal models are being employed. Such models include transgenic and non-transgenic animals that range from invertebrates (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans), to vertebrates (mouse, rats and primates). The current review is an account of such models and how they have contributed to our understanding of the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus, ageing and dementia.

In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre

OBJECTIVE Phytochemical constituents as well as antimalarial and toxicity potentials of the methanolic extract of the husk fibre of Dwarf Red variety of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in this study. METHODS The dried powdered husk fibre was exhaustively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol successively and the methanolic extract was screened for flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and glycosides. A 4-day suppressive antimalarial test was carried out using Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected mice, to which the extract was administered at doses of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW). Toxicity of the extract was evaluated in rats using selected hematological parameters and organ function indices after orally administering doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW for 14 d. RESULTS Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, glycosides, steroids and anthraquinones in the extract. Moreover, the extract reduced parasitemia by 39.2% and 45.8% at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW respectively on day 8 post-inoculation. Various hematological parameters evaluated were not significantly altered (P>0.05) at all doses of the extract, except red blood cell count which was significantly elevated (P<0.05) at 100 mg/kg BW. The extract significantly increased (P<0.05) urea, creatinine, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations in the serum as well as atherogenic index, while it reduced albumin concentration significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses compared to the controls. Alanine aminotransferase activity was reduced in the liver and heart significantly (P<0.05) but was increased in the serum significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses of the extract compared to the controls. CONCLUSION The results suggest that methanolic extract of the Dwarf red variety has partial antimalarial activity at higher doses, but is capable of impairing normal kidney and liver function as well as predisposing subjects to cardiovascular diseases.

Lipid Profile and Liver Histochemistry in Animal Models Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is known to be an important predisposing factor to many diseased conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, atherosclerosis and other metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exposure to smoke from burnt cotton wool and cigarette on plasma lipids, liver biochemistry and histology, in adult Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups of Control A: exposed to fresh atmospheric air; Group B: exposed to cotton wool smoke; and, Group C, exposed to cigarette smoke; and the experiment lasted for 35 days. The animals exposed to cigarette smoke and cotton wool smoke showed higher values of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower values of high density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the control. The observation of the micro architecture and enzymes of the liver tissue revealed reduction in the number and size of liver cells, numerous fibrous tissues, elevated liver transaminases and reduction in endogenous anti-oxidants, with evidence of fatty degeneration, in animals exposed to cigarette smoke compared to those exposed to cotton wool smoke and fresh atmospheric air. Cigarette smoke caused accumulation of lipids in the liver cells, with evidence of on-going necrosis and fibrosis, which indicated the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Neuroanatomical and molecular correlates of cognitive and behavioural outcomes in hypogonadal males

Robust epidemiological, clinical and laboratory evidence supports emerging roles for the sex steroids in such domains as neurodevelopment, behaviour, learning and cognition. Regions of the mammalian brain that are involved in cognitive development and memory do not only express the classical nuclear androgen receptor, but also the non-genomic membrane receptor, which is a G protein-coupled receptor that mediates some rapid effects of the androgens on neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Under physiological conditions, hippocampal neurons do express the enzyme aromatase, and therefore actively aromatize testosterone to oestradiol. Although glial expression of the aromatase enzyme is minimal, increased expression following injury suggests a role for sex steroids in neuroprotection. It is therefore plausible to deduce that low levels of circulating androgens in males would perturb neuronal functions in relation to cognition and memory, as well as neural repair following injury. The present review is an overview of some roles of the sex steroids on cognitive function in males, and the neuroanatomical and molecular underpinnings of some behavioural and cognitive deficits characteristic of such genetic disorders noted for low androgen levels, including Klinefelter syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Kallman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. Recent literature in relation to some behavioural and cognitive changes secondary to surgical and pharmacological castration are also appraised.

Beneficial effects of low dose Musa paradisiaca on the semen quality of male Wistar rats.

Background: This study aimed at determining the effects of administration of mature green fruits of Musa paradisiaca on the semen quality of adult male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The animals used for the study were grouped into three: the control group, given 2 ml of double distilled water, a low dose group given 500 mg/kg/day and a high dose group given 1000 mg/kg/day of the plantain fruits, which was made into flour, and dissolved in 2 ml of double distilled water for easy oral administration. Results: Significant increment in the semen parameters was noticed in animals that received a lower dose of the plantain flour, but those animals who received the high dose had marked and very significant reduction in sperm cell concentration and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa. Conclusion: Musa paradisiaca should be consumed in moderate quantities in order to derive its beneficial effects of enhancing male reproductive functions.