Imam Aminu | University of Ilorin (original) (raw)

Papers by Imam Aminu

Psychotic patients demonstrate poor spatial memory, ascribed to impaired hippocampal functions, a... more Psychotic patients demonstrate poor spatial memory, ascribed to impaired hippocampal functions, and
bodies of evidences have attributed cognitive impairments to the poor functional outcomes in psychosis
management. The efficacy of chlorpromazine and Rauwolfia vomitoria on spatial memory performance
and differential histoarchitecture of the hippocampi of adult Wistar rats was examined in this study.
Twenty five adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200 - 230 g were randomly grouped to five
(Normal, low and high dose chlorpromazine and low and high dose R. vomitoria) of five animals each.
2 mls of normal saline was given to Control animals daily, 5mg/kg of chlorpromazine was given as low
dose, 10 mg/kg of chlorpromazine was given as moderate dose, 150 mg/kg of R. vomitoria was given
as low dose and 300 mg/kg of R. vomitoria was given as high dose orally. All the medications were
given daily for 21 days. A Y-maze apparatus was used to assess the spatial memory performance in
the rats at days 14 and 21 of the experiment. All the animals were euthanized using 20 mg/kg of
intramuscular ketamine, cardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde, the brains and the hippocampus
removed for histological analysis. Results from this study show that Rauwolfia at 150 and 300 mg/kg
improved the correct decision (right triplet alternation) and reduced wrong decision (wrong triplet
alternation) in the treated rats at days 14 and 21 respectively with an unaltered hippocampal
histoarchitecture. While chlorpromazine at 5 and 10 mg/kg induced an increased wrong decision
(wrong triplet alternation) and reduced correct decision (right triplet alternation) across treatment
periods and caused an apparent distortion in the hippocampus. In conclusion, R. vomitoria could be a
better alternative agent with more therapeutic potential in the treatment of psychosis and could possibly
remediate cognitive impairments in psychosis.
Keywords: Rauwolfia vomitoria, chlorpromazine, psychosis, Hippocampal based spatial memory, Caudate
Ammonis

Ocimum gratissimum is an herbaceous perennial shrub which is widely distributed in many regions. ... more Ocimum gratissimum is an herbaceous perennial shrub which is widely distributed in many regions.
It is consumed in food as seasoning locally in Nigeria. In the present study, the effect of the acute
administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (AeOG) on prefrontal cortical
neurons was checked to assess its neurotoxicity potential. Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing
between 190-210 g were divided into 5 groups (n=6). Group A (control) received 1 ml of normal
saline (p.o), groups B-E received 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg AeOG (p.o) respectively. Treatment
lasted for fourteen days. Twenty-four hours after treatment, animals were sacrificed and their
brains were removed. The prefrontal cortices neuronal morphology was studied using haematoxylin
and eosin (H&E) stain; while activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
were assayed in the cerebral homogenate. AeOG administration at doses 300 and 400 mg/kg
cause neuronal fragmentation and central chromatolysis with significant (P<0.05) increases in the
activities of cerebral ACP and ALP. Our findings show that the acute use of AeOG caused neuronal
fragmentation and central chromatolysis which are response to axonal injuries and may leads to
onset of neurodegenerative diseases and affect cognitive and executive functions of the prefrontal
cortex.
Key words: Ocimum gratissimum, Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Neurogenerative diseases, Rat.

Abstract This research sought to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of honey agains... more Abstract This research sought to investigate the possible
neuroprotective effects of honey against lead (Pb)-induced
neurotoxicity. Twenty four maleWistar rats were divided into
four groups: Control group that received 1 ml/kg distilled
orally for 28 days; while groups II-IV received 0.2 % lead in
drinking water and 1 ml/kg of distilled water, 1 ml/kg of
honey, 1.5 ml/kg of honey respectively for 28 days.
Anxiety and exploratory activities were determined in the
open field test. Memory function was determined using
Morris water maze after which the animals were sacrificed.
The brains were then excised, homogenized and Lipid peroxidation
(MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase,
Glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione –S- Transferase (GST)
activities were determined in the brains. Results showed
that lead exposure causes decrease in locomotor and exploratory
activities; increase anxiety, memory impairment,
lipid peroxidation and decrease antioxidant activities.
However, co-administration of honey with lead inhibited
neurotoxicity as indicated by the improvement in memory
function as evidenced by decreased latency period and increased
in time spent in target quadrant in honey-fed rats
compared to the lead-exposed animals. Furthermore, honey
increased locomotion, exploration and decreased anxiety in
lead-exposed rats as indicated by the frequency of rearing,
freezing duration and the number of line crossed by animals.
Also administration of honey improves antioxidant
activities as shown by increased brain SOD, GST and
GSH activities compared to the lead-treated groups but no
significant effect on MDA level. It can be concluded that
honey has neuroprotective effects against lead-induced cognitive
deficit probably by enhancing antioxidant activities.
Keywords Anxiety . Honey . Locomotion . Memory .
Neurotoxicity

African giant rats are used in some part of the world for the detection of landmines and tubercul... more African giant rats are used in some part of the world for the detection of landmines and tuberculosis from human sputum. However, in some parts of the world they are consumed as a source of protein. This study was designed to look into the histo-morphometry of the cerebrum and cerebellum in comparison with the Albino wistar rats that are mostly used as laboratory experimental animals.
Eight African giant rats were captured from the wild comprising of four males and four females while the wistar rats were purchased from a local breeder at Ilorin. The animals were cardiacly perfused and their brains were removed for morphometric assessments and histological analysis.
Result shows that the cerebral and cerebellar cortices are similar in the two animals. The cerebellar cortex has three layers (molecular, purkinje and granular) and a central core of white matter but there few differences in the population of the cells. The cerebral cortex of the two animals also has the six cell layers and the hippocampus area but there are more pyramidal cells in the hippocampal area of the African giant rat than that of the Wistar rats. In conclusion the properties of the cerebral and cerebellar cortex accounts for the behavioural pattern of the animals.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Mangifera indica leaves on alloxan-induced diabetes checking t... more OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Mangifera indica leaves on alloxan-induced diabetes checking the level of oxidative stress,
behavioural observation and histology state of the prefrontal cortex in adult male Wistar rats.
STUDY DESIGN: Analytic Study
PLACE AND DURATION: The research work was carried out between 7th February and 3rd April of 2013, at the Department of
Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY: Twenty five adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group B was induced with hyperglycaemia by
alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight; Group B). Group C and D induced diabetic rats were treated with 10mg/kg of Mangifera indica and
20mg/kg of Mangifera indica respectively. A group of undiabetic rats were also treated with 20mg/kg of Mangifera indica (Group E).
The control was given feed and water ad libitum (Group A). At 28 days of treatment, novel object recognition test was done, prefrontal
histology was studied by the haematoxylin and eosin staining; while oxidative stress markers assayed in the prefrontal homogenate.
Glucose oxidase method was used in measuring the blood glucose level.
RESULT: In contrast to the untreated diabetic group, the blood glucose concentration of the treated groups and control group showed
was no significant difference (P>0.05) at 28 days of treatment with Mangifera indica. Tissue Malondialdehyde and Superoxide
Dismutase levels in the diabetic untreated group were statistically significant (P>0.05) when compared with the control. Using the
novel object recognition test, the untreated rats showed loss of short term memory. Histologically, there was improvement in the
treated group compared to the untreated group.
CONCLUSION: Mangifera indica confers better protection against hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress and memory loss in brain
of adult Wistar rats.
KEYWORDS: Mangifera Indica, Memory, Neurons, Alloxan, Diabetes

Adamu, LH., Asuku, AY., Taura, MG., Tella, IA., Datti, S., Imam, A., Dec 2013

Context: Obesity is one of the most significant contributors to ill health competing with under‑n... more Context: Obesity is one of the most significant contributors to ill health competing with under‑nutrition
and infectious diseases. Aims: The aims of the study were to determine the presence and level
of sexual dimorphism in adiposity indices, correlation of neck circumference (NC) and body mass
index (BMI) with other adiposity indices such as waist circumference (WC), waist‑hip ratio (WHR)
and waist‑height ratio (WHtR) and also to encourage the uses of neck circumferences as
valuable tool in assessing upper body central adiposity index. Settings and Design: The study
population included 71 undergraduate participants (41 Males and 30 Females) with mean age of
22.68 ± 4.23 years. Subjects and Methods: Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, NC,
WC and HC were obtained following standard protocols. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent
t‑test and Pearson’s correlation were employed to compare and find the relationship between the
variables, using SPSS version 17. Significance level was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The
result shows that there was statistically significant (P < 0.05) sexual dimorphism in mean WC,
WHR and NC between the sexes. BMI showed strongest correlation with WHtR (r = 0.8, P < 0.001)
followed by HC (r = 0.7, P < 0.001), WC (r = 0.7, P < 0.001). On the other hand the NC shows
a significant correlation (P < 0.05) with all the variables. Conclusions: Despite the low level of
correlation of NC with other adiposity indices compared to the BMI, the NC may serve as an
important tool for the assessment of upper body adiposity.
Key Words: Adiposity indices, anthropometry, neck circumferences, Nigeria, obesity

Ishola AO, Ibrahim RB, Balogun WG, Imam A, Oyewopo AO, Olawepo A ., Mar 2014

"Aim: To investigate the effect of paint fumes on the histoarchitecture of the testes. Methodolo... more "Aim: To investigate the effect of paint fumes on the histoarchitecture of the testes.
Methodology: In this study, we reported sixteen (16) Wistar rats mainly male of an average
weight of 180g. Four groups of four rats each were divided into groups A-D. The treated rats were
exposed to paint fumes for 8 hours daily, group A for three weeks, B for four weeks and C for five
weeks. Group D animals (control group) were exposed to air for 8 hours for five weeks. On the last
day of exposure, animals were euthanized, sacrificed and thoraco-abdominal incision was
performed after which one testis was received from each rats, preserved in 10% formal saline and
further processed for histological study using Hematoxylin and eosin technique.
Results: The testes of the paint fumes exposed group shows necrotic cell death of the germ cells
(spermatogonia) and reduced sperm cells in the central lumen. This is an indication of altered
spermatogenesis.
Conclusion: Paint fumes that contain volatile organic compound cause the necrotic death of
testicular germ cells in exposure dependent manner and there were reduced sperm cells in the
lumen. This can lead to infertility.
Keywords: histoarchitecture, testes, spermatogonia, infertility."

Balogun WG, Ibrahim RB, Ishola AO, Imam A, Adeyemo KA, Alabi AS, Enaibe BU. , Jun 2014

"Whether through employment, home remodeling, or through any contact, a large majority of us get ... more "Whether through employment, home remodeling, or through any contact, a large majority of us get
exposed to hazardous paint fumes throughout our lifetime. The present work investigated the effect of
paint fumes on the histology of the lungs. Sixteen adult male Wistar rats weighing about 130-160 g
were used for the study. The rats were divided into four groups A-D of four rats per group. Groups A-C
was the experimental animals while Group D acted as the control. Groups A, B and C were exposed to
paint fumes for 8 hours daily for three weeks, four weeks and five weeks respectively. Group D animals
were exposed to air for 8 hours for five weeks. The weight of the animals was recorded at the end of
each week during the experiment. On the last day of exposure, the animals were sacrificed and the
lungs were excised and fixed in 10% formal saline and processed. Tissue sections were stained with:
Hematoxylin and Eosin for general histology and Periodic Acidic Schiff for type 2 alveolar cells. The
alveolar cells of the treated groups undergo fibrosis compared to the control group and increase in the
number of type 2 secretory alveolar cells. Exposure to paint fumes over time is dangerous to the lungs
and can cause respiratory distress"

Adamu, LH., Asuku, AY., Taura, MG., Tella, IA., Datti, S., Imam, A., Dec 2013

Ishola AO, Ibrahim RB, Balogun WG, Imam A, Oyewopo AO, Olawepo A ., Mar 2014

Balogun WG, Ibrahim RB, Ishola AO, Imam A, Adeyemo KA, Alabi AS, Enaibe BU. , Jun 2014