https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/issue/feed Journal of Current Biomedical Research 2024-10-31T23:19:03+01:00 Prof. Kenneth Gerald Ngwoke [email protected] Open Journal Systems <p><em>Journal of Current Biomedical Research (JCBR)</em>, a peer-reviewed, open access journal published every two months with six issues in a year. It is a biomedical publication, which provides both African and international biomedical researchers with an open forum to disseminate important new information about biomedical research. JCBR covers the developments in multidisciplinary areas of biology and biomedicine. The journal encourages the submission of research letters, presenting preliminary research that stimulates further investigation of potentially relevant findings as well as studies with negative findings. JCBR publishes original research articles, review articles, case reports, and letter to the Editor.</p> <p> </p> https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4171 Prevalence, determinants, and information sources of self-medication among non-health workers in two tertiary institutions in Southwest Nigeria: A cross-sectional study 2024-10-25T08:44:29+01:00 Ebele Onwuchuluba [email protected] Florence Ezinwa Nkemehule [email protected] Vivian Obiageli Chuka-Ebene [email protected] Sandra Uchendu [email protected] Morenikeji Lateefa Saka [email protected] <p>Self-medication practices pose a significant public health challenge. Understanding the factors that drive this behaviour, particularly among non-health workers' is crucial for interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and identify the drivers and sources of information among non-health workers in two tertiary institutions.</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among consenting workers, using self-administered questionnaires to collect data on self-medication, types of medications, reasons, and sources of information. We summarised data using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 21. The level of statistical significance was set at &lt;0.05.</p> <p>Of the 148 respondents, 62.8% engaged in self-medication. They used mainly analgesics (76.4%), antimalarials (72.3%), and antibiotics (58%) to self-medicate. More than half (70.9%) used herbal remedies they got from herb sellers. Common health conditions were body pain (65.5%), headache (62.8%), and malaria (59.5%). The primary reasons for self-medication were the perception of minor illness (71.6%), self-decision (49%), previous medication use (27%), and long waiting time in health facilities (26%). Most respondents (81%) reported getting information from pharmacists, relatives, and friends (70.9%). Factors associated with self-medicating with herbal remedies include having relatives as healthcare professionals (<em>P</em>=0.014) and ethnicity (<em>P</em>=0.001). Respondents having Diabetes or Hypertension are less likely to self-medicate.</p> <p>The prevalence of self-medication is high. The workers self-medicated majorly with prescription-only medicines (POMs), over-the-counter medicines (OTCs), and herbal remedies. The combination of these medicines could have implications for adverse effects. Family/friends serving as sources of information underscores the need for interventions to curb self-medication.</p> 2024-10-31T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Ebele Onwuchuluba, Florence Nkemehule , Vivian Chuka-Ebene, Sandra Ogochukwu , Morenikeji Saka https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4389 Evaluation of the effect of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agent, and monoclonal antibody on the gastrointestinal tract in a rat model of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis 2024-10-07T22:01:44+01:00 Olusoji Oyesola [email protected] Oluwatosin Soyinka [email protected] Olaniyi Soetan [email protected] Eunice Oluwabunmi Ojo-Adebayo [email protected] Victoria Biola Edema [email protected] Oluwaseye Emmanuel Olayemi [email protected] <p>Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by gut pathology and impaired gut function. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and monoclonal antibody therapies on gut pathology in a rat model of acetic acid-induced UC.</p> <p>Fifty Adult Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of ten rats each, the animals were allowed to acclimatize for a period of 2 weeks. The induction of the ulcerative colitis was done according to the method described by Al-Rejaie et al., (2013), after 24 hours fast, 2 ml of 4% acetic acid solution was administered transrectally using a (2.7 mm) soft pediatric catheter. After acetic acid administration, rats were holed horizontally for 2 min to prevent acetic acid leakage. Manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis was observed in the rats after 6 days of induction and treatment was carried out for a period of 42 days. Group A was the normal control. UC was induced with 2 ml of 4% acetic acid solution transrectally using soft pediatric catheter in Group B while, Group C and D received 40 mg/kg of Ciproflaxin and 100 mg/kg of Prednisolone respectively every 72 hours for forty-two days orally, and Group E received 5 mg/kg of infliximab for 2 weeks Intraperitoneally. At the end of 42 days, Total acidity, Gastric mucus concentration and pH were determined using standard method; MDA- Lipid Peroxidation was also determined in the stomach, pancreas, small and large intestine. The Histoarchitecture of the stomach, small and large intestine were studied.</p> <p>The UC-induced group showed significant changes in gut physiology and pathology, including decreased pH, increased total acidity, reduced mucin content, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased clinical symptoms. In contrast, all treatment groups showed significant improvements in gut physiology, contributing positively to ameliorating the symptoms and pathological features of ulcerative colitis with varying efficacy. Histological analysis revealed significant pathological changes in the UC-induced group, including thickened muscularis, degenerated mucosa, and compromised submucosa, which were improved in the anti-inflammatory-treated and monoclonal antibody-treated groups.</p> <p>The study effectively highlights the significant impacts of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory agent and monoclonal antibody in improving in gut physiology on various parameters associated with UC potentially through the regulation of gastrointestinal secretions, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to UC severity, inhibition of oxidative stress, which can damage the gut barrier and exacerbate UC, increase in mucin content, which can protect the gut barrier and reduce UC severity, and modulation of the gut microbiome, which can influence UC severity. The findings indicate that while all the three interventions contribute positively to ameliorating the symptoms and pathological features of UC, their overall efficacy vary. This study provides insights into the efficacy of the different therapies on gut pathology in UC and may inform the development of novel treatments for this debilitating disease.</p> 2024-10-31T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Olusoji Oyesola, Oluwatosin Soyinka, Olaniyi Soetan, Eunice Oluwabunmi Ojo-Adebayo, Victoria Biola Edema, Oluwaseye Emmanuel Olayemi https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4061 Knowledge and awareness of lymphedema, its prevention and management among undergraduate students of faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka 2024-08-24T16:59:39+01:00 Vivian Chikendu [email protected] Maureen Anetoh [email protected] <p>Lymphedema is a set of pathologic conditions that are characterized by the regional accumulation of excessive amounts of interstitial protein-rich fluid. These occur due to an imbalance between the demand for lymphatic flow and the capacity of the lymphatic circulation. It is a deadly disease that currently has no cure, but a lot of measures can be put in place for its prevention. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness, prevention and management of lymphedema among the students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu Campus. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate Pharmacy students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu Campus using an adapted, validated questionnaire. The instrument accessed the knowledge of lymphedema, it’s prevention and management amongst the students of the Faculty. The data collected was analyzed using computer-aided Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the findings. Level of significance was set at p-value of &lt;0.05. The number of students who participated was 254. Of the total, 154 (60.6%) were aware of lymphedema, and 133 (52.4%) didn’t know that lymphedema can occur in other parts of the body besides the limbs. Also, 152(59.8%) believe that lymphedema can be treated, 163(64.2%) think it can be prevented and 223(87.8%) didn’t know that lymphedema cannot be completely cured. This study showed that more than half of the participants were aware of lymphedema, but didn’t have a comprehensive knowledge of it.</p> 2024-10-31T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Vivian Chikendu, Maureen Anetoh https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4353 Physicochemical and microbiological assessment of drinking water samples collected from Lagos. 2024-09-29T21:44:24+01:00 Esther Ogunbanke [email protected] Tenny Egwuatu [email protected] Ifeoluwa Ifemade [email protected] <p>Poor drinking water quality affects people, the economy and the environment. Contaminated water is the primary cause of diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea and dysentery in Nigeria. These diseases cause death in individuals. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical parameters and the presence of coliforms in various sachet and bottled water sold in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 23 processed water samples were used for this study which included 10 sachets of water, 11 bottles of water and 2 dispenser water sold among different vendors in Lagos. The pH, hardness, electrical conductivity, hardness, turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chloride, magnesium and calcium level were analysed. The most probable number method was carried out and the 10<sup>-3</sup> dilutions of the positive tubes were plated on Eosin Methylene Blue Agar and Mac Conkey Agar. A total of thirteen isolates were identified from the colonies, nine (9) from bottle water and four (4) from sachet water. The isolates were identified using the VITEK method. Among the microbes isolated from the water samples were <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Escherichia coli. </em>This shows the presence of faecal coliforms in some water samples. This study calls out the need for optimum hygienic practices in water production and packaging companies to eliminate contaminants in water and to ensure the water is properly treated to reduce the chemicals and particles present in sachet and bottled water sold in Lagos.</p> 2024-10-31T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Esther Ogunbanke, Egwuatu T.O.G, Ifeoluwa Ifemade https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4259 Gum Arabic microencapsulated Spondia mombin particles induced delayed modulatory potential on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia 2024-10-22T14:37:00+01:00 Aiseosa Kingsley Igharo [email protected] Didacus Nnamani [email protected] Oluwasegun Adedokun [email protected] Ibrahim Kehinde [email protected] <p><em>Spondia mombin</em> stems are traditionally used for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study examines the impact of microencapsulation on <em>S. mombin</em>’s anti-BPH properties, comparing the crude and encapsulated extracts. Microencapsulated particles of <em>S. mombin</em> (S-Mp) were prepared using acacia gum and characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), micromeritic analysis, and dissolution studies. The anti-BPH activity of S-Mp, blank particles (B-Mp), and crude extracts was evaluated in vivo by measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serum testosterone, and prostate index (PI) in male rats. SEM analysis showed larger particle sizes in S-Mp (50–80 µm) compared to B-Mp (&gt;50) which may indicate the addition of active drug in the blank microspheres or due to other cohesive forces affecting particle size distribution, drug agglomeration. EDX revealed the presence of oxygen, sodium, carbon, and sulfur in both S-Mp and B-Mp, with significant compositional differences. FTIR analysis identified additional peaks in S-Mp, suggesting interactions with acacia gum. Micromeritic analysis demonstrated improved flow properties for S-Mp, with an angle of repose of 27.9°, compressibility index of 6.06%, and Hausner’s ratio of 1.06, indicating better handling potential. Dissolution studies revealed that S-Mp had significantly higher absorbance values compared to B-Mp at all time points, indicating enhanced dissolution rates. The absorbance of S-Mp steadily increased from 0.9085 at 5 minutes to 1.2600 at 60 minutes, while B-Mp showed lower and relatively constant values throughout. In vivo, the crude extract demonstrated dose-dependent PSA reduction, peaking at 400 mg/kg, while S-Mp showed maximum reduction at 100 mg/kg, with diminished effects at higher doses. Encapsulation delayed release and reduced overall efficacy, as reflected in the dissolution data. Serum testosterone levels also decreased significantly upon encapsulation. <em>S. mombin</em> exhibits notable anti-BPH activity, but microencapsulation with acacia gum reduces efficacy due to delayed release, despite improved dissolution rates.</p> 2024-10-31T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Aiseosa Kingsley Igharo, Didacus Nnamani, Oluwasegun Adedokun, Ibrahim Kehinde https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcbr/article/view/4571 Hepato-renal function assessments in apparently healthy undergraduate students of Edo State University Uzairue: A Pilot study 2024-10-29T11:10:54+01:00 Olulope Ajayi [email protected] Anthony Moses Ugbenyen [email protected] Lucky Osafanme Iserhienrhien [email protected] Oluwakemi Rita Akerele [email protected] <p>The prevalence rates of chronic hepatic and renal diseases are increasing globally. Unhealthy lifestyle is a major contributor to the increasing prevalence rates. Due to the asymptomatic nature of these diseases at the early stages, diagnosis is not made early. Most studies have focused on study participants already diagnosed of these diseases; it is therefore imperative to carry out this study on apparently healthy undergraduate students who were predominantly adolescents with the view to identifying individuals at risk of these diseases. Fifty apparently healthy undergraduate students of Edo State University Uzairue, Edo State, consisting of 24 males and 26 females were randomly recruited into this cross-sectional study. They were between 16 and 25 years old. Anthropometric indices of each study participants including body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were determined using standard procedures, while BMI was calculated. Blood and pulse pressures were also determined using automatic blood pressure monitor. Plasma obtained from 5 millilitres of fasting venous blood was used for the determination of creatinine, uric acid, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). These biochemical parameters were also determined in 5 millilitres of fasting spot urine sample obtained from each participant. Student’s t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for comparison and association of variables, respectively and p&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Body height and plasma creatinine of participants were significantly higher in males compared with the females, whereas urinary uric acid was significantly higher in females compared with the males. In females, there was a positive association between diastolic blood pressure and body weight. While in males, diastolic blood pressure correlated positively with hip circumference. The differences in the body height, plasma creatinine and plasma uric acid in the study participants appears physiological. The non-statistically significant differences in the other variables could be attributed to the apparently healthy state of the study participants</p> 2024-11-01T00:00:00+01:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Olulope Ajayi, Anthony Moses Ugbenyen, Lucky Osafanme Iserhienrhien, Oluwakemi Rita Akerele