Journal of African Association of Physiological Sciences

The burden of cognitive impairment in Nigeria: perspectives and research prospects

2021-12-30T04:23:36-05:00

Cognitive impairment represents deficits in memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension,
calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. It is seen in Alzheimer’s dementia,
vascular dementia, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and many other conditions. Cognitive impairment
and dementia constitute a huge burden worldwide, with the majority of individuals coming
from low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria. This paper reviews the existing
studies regarding the prevalence and burden of these conditions in Nigeria, highlighting the
dearth of comprehensive nation-wide studies that addresses the situation. The study also brings
perspectives on research ideas and way forward towards improving access to healthcare
services for people living with cognitive impairment and dementia.

Route of exposure influences the cardiovascular effects of Cannabis sativa in salt-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats

2021-12-30T04:32:00-05:00

Background: Exposre to Cannabis sativa (CS) has been suggested to exert ameliorative
effects in hypertensive conditions. Using various exposure routes, this study investigated the
likely cardiovascular protective effect of CS in high salt diet (HSD) induced hypertensive male
Wistar rats. Methods: Exposure routes investigated include dietary incorporation
(10%CS+90%HSD), ethanol extract of C. sativa intake (ECS, 3mg/kg p.o.), and inhalation of
C. sativa fumes (1g/day/animal). GC-MS analysis of CS was evaluated, and forty animals were
equally divided into 5 groups as follows; Group I (control) received normal diet, Groups II-V
received HSD alone, CS+HSD, ECS+HSD, and CS fumes+HSD for 28days, respectively.
Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and electrocardiographic readings
were assessed. Haematological analysis of retro-orbital sinus blood samples after light
anaesthesia was also evaluated for full blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,
fibrinogen concentration, and blood viscosity. Aortic samples were harvested for histology.
Resulte: The GC-MS showed Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin,
Cannabidiol and Cannabinol, as prevalent in CS. The HSD only exhibited elevated (P<0.05)
RBC, PCV, haemoglobin, MCV, platelets, WBC, neutrophil, blood viscosity, systolic,
diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure compared to control. CS exposure groups (III-V)
exhibited reduced (P<0.05) RBC, PCV, haemoglobin, WBC, blood viscosity, systolic, diastolic
and mean arterial blood pressure compared to HSD only. However these values were elevated
compared to control. ECG tracings seen in group II suggests myocardial electrical signal
dysfunction while tracings in the CS exposure groups suggest partial amelioration of
myocardial signalling pathways. Histology showed hypertension-induced aortic structural
alterations that were not ameliorated by exposure to CS. Conclusion: Data obtained suggest
that controlled exposure to Cannabis sativa either in diet, as ethanol extract or inhalation may
mediate elevated blood pressure and impaired cardio-electrical signalling in salt (NaCl)-
induced hypertension. However, hypertension-induced cardiac structural and vascular
impairments are not ameliorated by exposure to Cannabis sativa

Attenuated blood coagulation in wistar rats fed graded levels of a protein diet

2021-12-30T04:48:27-05:00

Background: Blood coagulation (haemostasis) is a defense mechanism that helps to prevent
the excessive loss of blood from damaged blood vessels by formation of a plug. The
relationship between diet and blood coagulation has been studied over time. However, there is
a dearth of information regarding the effect of consumption of high levels of casein and
crayfish proteins on blood coagulation. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
impact of consumption of graded levels of casein and crayfish proteins on blood coagulation in
Wistar rats. Method: Graded levels of casein (milk protein) and crayfish (seafood) were
incorporated in rat diet as sources of protein at 20%, 30% and 50% concentrations. At the end
of the experimental period (28 days), Platelet Count, Bleeding Time, Clotting Time,
Prothrombin Time, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, and Fibrinogen Concentration
were evaluated. Standard data analytical software (Graphpad prism version 5.0) was used to
analyze the data. Results: From the findings of this study, when compared with the control,
platelet count and fibrinogen concentration were significantly reduced (p<0.05) at 50%
concentration while clotting time, Prothrombin Time and and Activated Partial
Thromboplastin Time were elongated significantly (p<0.05) at 50% concentration; the
elongation of the BT was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of
high concentration of casein and crayfish proteins consistently over a period can attenuate
blood coagulation and may predispose to excessive bleeding, with possible adverse
cardiovascular consequences.

Antioxidant, hypolipidaemic and heptoprotective potentials of perinatal Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf supplemented diet in male offspring of Sprague-Dawley rats

2021-12-30T04:55:18-05:00

Background: Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Benth is one of the monocotyledonous herbs
found in rain forests and coastal areas of West and Central Africa. This study investigated the
antioxidant, hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective roles of perinatal Thaumatococcus daniellii
leaf supplemented diet in offspring of Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Twenty-four (24)
pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were used and fed either a control diet or Thaumatococcus
daniellii leaf supplemented diet (TDLSD). The dams were given TDLSD diet up to parturition
(in-utero group, IUG), or from birth to post-natal day 21 (lactation group, LG) or for a period
covering both, combined (CG). On postnatal day 90, blood sample was collected via retroorbital puncture to obtain serum sample for the determination of cholesterol (CHOL),
triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and
hepatic lipase (HL). Aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) reduced
glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA) were investigated. Results: There
was no significant difference (p<0.05) in CHOL, LDL, and HDL levels in LG and CG
offspring while TG significantly (p<0.05) decreased in IUG, and CG compared with control.
HL increased significantly (p<0.05), ALT, AST and ALP significantly decrease (p<0.05) while
GSH, SOD and CAT upregulated in IUG, LG and CG compared with CONT. MDA
downregulated(p<0.05) in IUG, LG and CG compared with CONT. Conclusion: This study
provides evidence that perinatal Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf supplemented diet possesses
antioxidant, lipid lowering and hepatoprotective potentials in offspring of Sprague-Dawley rats
though it was observed that in-utero exposure produced more effect hence, it’s dependent on
the window of exposure.

Corn silk (Stigma maydis) aqueous extract attenuates high-salt induced glucose dysregulation and cardiac dyslipidemia: Involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activities

2021-12-30T05:08:22-05:00

Background: Corn silk (Stigma maydis) is the long silky tuft of hairs from the female
inflorescence of maize (Zea mays L) with rich antioxidant activity and free radicals scavenging
capacity. High-salt diet on the other hand, has been shown to alter vascular and alter metabolic
disorders. However, the exact ameliorating mechanism of corn silk (CS) effect is still being
widely studied. This study examined the effect of aqueous corn silk extract on high saltinduced cardiac glucose and lipid dysmetabolism. Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley
rats (100-110g) were randomly selected into four groups (n=5) after a week of acclimatization
and fed with rat chow (CTR), corn silk extract (CS; 500 mg/kg), high salt diet (HSD; 8%) and
corn silk extract plus high salt feed (HSD; 8% + CS; 500 mg/kg) respectively for six weeks. At
the end of the experimental procedure, each animal was anesthetized by exposure to
chloroform vapor and blood samples collected by cardiac puncture. Data were analyzed and
expressed as mean ± SEM and p-values < 0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: Corn silk
extract resulted in attenuated plasma and cardiac glycogen production, triglycerides, free fatty
acids, and total cholesterol associated with high-salt diet. However, the plasma level of
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and nitric oxide was significantly elevated in CS groups
compared with control. Corn silk extract also decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin, and
glycogen synthase activity (P<0.05) in HSD-fed rats. Conclusion: It is noteworthy from our
data that corn silk possesses antilipidemic and glucoregulatory properties associated with
enhanced phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3K) activity, an insulin dependent signaling pathway
and may form an important component of nutritional candidate for ameliorating
cardiometabolic diseases.

Erythrocyte antigens as markers and risk factors for myeloid leukaemias in Nigerian subjects

2021-12-30T05:29:58-05:00

Background: Erythrocyte antigens have long been associated with the aetiology and
pathogenesis of several disease conditions including various cancers and some human
behaviour. This study investigates the association of these antigens with myeloid leukaemias.
Methods: This is a case-control study on subjects with age range of 6 to 67 years, undergoing
management for the disease in our study facility at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
24 cases of myeloid leukaemias comprising of 13 chronic myeloid leukaemias (CML) and 11
acute myeloid leukaemias (AML) were investigated with 25 apparently healthy, age and sex -
matched subjects as control. Erythrocyte antigens such as A, B, O, RhD, RhC, Rhc, RhE, Rhe,
Fya, Fyb, Jka and Jkb were determined on all subjects and controls. The absence of A and B
antigens is represented as O. All the antigens were detected with standard serological methods.
Statistical analyses were done using Graphpad Prism 8.0.1. Results: We recorded positive
association of antigens D, e, Jka, O, E and C with the associated risk of development of CML
in the order of D>>e>>Jka>>O>>E>>C (P<0.05, respectively) while antigens D, e, Jka, Fyb,
E, O and A were positively associated with the risk of development of AML in the order
D>>e>>Jka>>Fyb>>E>>O>>A (P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The antigens D, e, Jka,
O, E, C implicated in this study can serve as risk factors for the development of CML while
antigens D, e, Jk, Fyb, E, O, A could be risk factors for the development of AML or can
contribute majorly to tumour aggression and therefore can be considered as markers for early
diagnosis of the malignancies.

Effects of shisha smoke inhalation on some long-term memory forms in adult male mice

2021-12-30T06:00:47-05:00

Background: Shisha is a flavoured tobacco designed to be smoked in a water-pipe, but it
effects on long-term memory has not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to
evaluate the effect of Shisha smoke inhalation on some long-term memory models in adult
male BALB/c mice. Methods: Twenty male mice were divided into 4 groups of five mice
each. Group I (control): fresh air; group II: exposed to bonged Shisha; group III: exposed to
unbonged Shisha; group IV: exposed to activated charcoal smoke only. Each group was
exposed for thirty minutes daily for seven weeks. Long-term memory was assessed using
elevated plus maze (EPM), novel object recognition test (NORT) and Barnes maze (BM).
Results: There was statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in novel object recognition in
bonged Shisha group when compared with the control. There was statistically significant
increase (P<0.05) in spatial learning and memory in bonged Shisha group when compared with
control. There was statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in acetylcholinesterase activity in
bonged Shisha group when compared with control, but there was no statistically significant
difference in anxiety related spatial memory in elevated plus maze when compared with the
control. There was also increased in necrosis of hippocampal cells in bonged Shisha group and
slight necrosis in unbonged and activated charcoal smoke when compared to control mice.
Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that bonged Shisha smoke is neurotoxic to the
brain because of combined effect of various toxicants emanating from different Shisha smoke
constituents used in the set-up.

omparative study of electrocardiogram among male hypertensive students attending University Health Services and normotensive students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

2021-12-30T06:11:30-05:00

Background: Worldwide cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 17 million deaths
annually, these complications. Hypertension is responsible for at least 9.4 million deaths every
year globally. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple, convenient, economical, and suitable test
for screening a relatively large population. The study was aimed at determining
electrocardiographic patterns among male hypertensive students attending university health
services and normotensive students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Methods: A
total of 109 participants (18 – 53) years were recruited, among which were53 hypertensive and
56 non-hypertensive participants. Information on subject’s blood pressure, anthropometric
measurements and electrocardiogram were recorded. Results: The result showed a significant
higher mean age 35.60 ± 7.26 years, mean weight73.28 ± 12.06 kg, mean body mass index
(BMI) 25.23 ± 5.56 kg/m2, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) 141.17 ± 14.32 mmHg, mean
diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 89.74 ± 7.36 mmHg and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP)
107.27 ± 9.68 mmHg among hypertensive subjects as compared to control subjects. The
calculated ECG of higher mean heart rate (HR) (73.96 ± 13.77), mean QTc interval (392.11 ±
22.56),mean T wave (281.43 ± 119.45), and lower mean QRS axis (39.79 ± 29.22) among
hypertensive subjects as compared to control subjects and some of the ECG abnormalities that
were detected include; sinus tachycardia (16%), sinus bradycardia (2%), atrial fibrillation
(8%), left bundle branch block (2%), left axis deviation (8%), left ventricular hypertrophy
(40%), ST elevation (2%), ST depression (12%) and T wave inversion (24%). Conclusion:
This study shows that male hypertensive subjects of ABU Zaria had higher HR, QTc interval,
T wave and lower QRS axis. Most frequently found ECG abnormalities were left ventricular
hypertrophy, T wave inversion, ST depression, sinus tachycardia, left axis deviation and atrial
fibrillation. The students should therefore routinely check the status of cardiovascular
performance through electrocardiogram recording.

Assessment of the levels of serum parathyroid hormone in rural postmenopausal women in Zuturung district, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

2021-12-30T06:33:05-05:00

The physiological role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in calcium homeostasis and the
maintenance of bone mass in humans has been elucidated by several authors. The main
objective of the present study was to evaluate basal PTH levels in premenopausal,
perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in Zuturung district, Kaduna state, Nigeria. One
hundred and thirty-five subjects comprising of 38 premenopausal, 22 perimenopausal and 75
postmenopausal women were assessed. The subjects were selected based on some inclusion
and exclusion criteria. After administering a questionnaire, anthropometrical parameters were
determined using standard methods while five milliliters of blood were collected via
venipuncture. The blood was transferred to plain bottles, centrifuged and serum PTH levels
were determined using ELISA method at the Department of Chemical Pathology, Ahmadu
Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika. Results were presented as mean ± SD and data
were analyzed using ANOVA with p<0.05 being considered as statistically significant. The
study revealed that postmenopausal and perimenopausal women were more likely to be
overweight (mean BMI 26.07±5.99 kg/m2, 26.42±7.27kg/m2 respectively) as compared with
their premenopausal counterparts (25.18±3.48kg/m2); p<0.001. The postmenopausal and
perimenopausal women also had a higher waist circumference (89.63±10.66cm,
92.19±11.91cm) as compared with the premenopausal women (83.73±8.00cm) p<0.001. Mean
serum parathyroid hormone levels were slightly decreased among the postmenopausal subjects
(2.25±1.88pg/ml) and perimenopausal (2.91±1.44pg/ml) as compared to the premenopausal
subjects (3.38±3.48pg/ml) although not significant (p>0.05). These findings suggest a higher
cardiovascular risk and lower mean serum parathyroid hormone in the postmenopausal women
as compared with their premenopausal subjects.
We recommend further studies in a larger sample, comparing with women in urban regions
and determining serum cadmium levels in the subjects to identify if its toxicity is responsible
for the pattern of serum parathyroid hormone levels observed.

New Editor-in-Chief

2021-12-31T11:32:05-05:00

Council of African Association of Physiological Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Kennedy Erlwanger as the new Editor-in-Chief of Journal of African Association of Physiological Sciences. Kennedy will succeed Professor Anthony B. Ebeigbe on January 1, 2022.

Contact:

Professor Kennedy H. Erlwanger

School of Physiology

Faculty of Health Sciences,

University of the Witwatersrand,

7 York Road, Parktown, 2193,

SOUTH AFRICA

Private bag 3, Wits, 2050, South Africa.

Tel: +27 (0)11 717 2454

Email: Kennedy.Erlwanger@wits.ac.za